The three Real Madrid loanees who are really disappointing
By Ben Sundock
Continuing the series checking in on Real Madrid players out on loan this season, we will today look at three players who have really struggled to make an impact while away from the Spanish capital.
This was supposed to be a make or break season for three Real Madrid first team members. Both Jesus Vallejo and Borja Mayoral have been with Los Blancos for some time and have really struggled to break in as regulars.
Both were expected to show the board what they are truly worth by moving away from the Santiago Bernabéu, however, both Mayoral and Vallejo have been incredibly underwhelming.
While Real has plenty of depth at both striker and center back, a lot of pressure has been placed on the shoulders of young goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian international is expected to the back up to Thibaut Courtois this fall and could one day take over for the Belgian international.
But, Lunin has been so poor, his loan contract with Real Valladolid was canceled in January. Let’s take a closer look at each of these struggling loanees.
The trials and tribulations of Andriy Lunin
Talk about a strange loan stint, wow.
Real Madrid’s lone Ukrainian international has been with two clubs now this season – make it three since he joined Real – and has still not appeared in a competitive match for his parent club.
After making just seven appearances on loan with Leganés last season, the board hoped the 21-year-old shot-stopper would get some quality experience with Real Valladolid, a team Real Madrid has a great relationship with.
That was not the case as for some reason, Lunin could not dethrone Jordi Masip and made just two appearances in the Copa. In fact, the loan was going so poorly for the keeper, the club terminated the deal and let Andriy leave in favor of lower-league side Real Oviedo.
So far, the move has been much better than the last year and a half for the goalkeeper since he has already made eight appearances as a starter. However, he has kept just one clean sheet and Oviedo has won just twice since his arrival.
Andriy Lunin is expected by many to be the back-up to Thibaut Courtois come the fall, however, if he continues to perform like this, Real Madrid might be tempted into looking for alternative options.