Real Madrid have had defensive problems for the better part of this decade. Whether it is about conceding a lot of goals, or having too many injuries in the department -- or, perhaps, a bit of both -- there has been a problem or two for the longest time. They have signed Dean Huijsen since, in the hopes that the problems go away.
Last season, there were so many injuries that Antonio Rüdiger was forced to play with pain and through injuries in as many games as his body allowed him.
This season, he has been paying the price. After recovering from his knee surgery, Rüdiger saw a dip in form at first, and then yet another injury that has since kept him out for over a month. It is not great, and Real Madrid would have obviously thought about it a fair bit.
Rüdiger is focusing on recovering well from his injury, according to journalist Jorge Picon. He aims to return fully fit before the end of the year, and he is not worried about his contract situation until then.
Rüdiger has slowly declined over the last year, and Real Madrid will take that into account
That is the thing, though - as much as he is enjoying being at Real Madrid, and as good as he has been for the club in the last few years, his body is declining. The fitness issues have grown a lot because of how much he has been asked to contribute at the back.
Heavy bandages over his knee, playing in pain and playing as many minutes as he has in the last two seasons has to have had an impact.
He is still good enough to stay at Real Madrid, but that's where the problem lies. Real Madrid are already thinking of signing another defender next summer, and it would have to be one of Rüdiger or Raul Asencio who makes way.
Asencio recently signed a long-term extension and is still a youngster compared to Rüdiger, who has probably exited his peak years as a footballer.
Real Madrid will obviously take all of this into account and see what can be done about his contract.
Rüdiger is, at the moment, a third-choice defender at the club, and he is great at what he does. The only problem is if the club sign a new, younger defender to be that third choice. From there, they either sell Asencio or Rüdiger.
Either way, though, there will be a substantial decrease in minutes for the defender next season, and if the German still wants to keep playing at the highest level, he may want to leave either way.