Real Madrid may have given up a last second goal to draw Real Betis 1-1 on Friday night, but the reality of the course of that match is Real were lucky they were in the lead 1-0 for so long to begin with. They were hemorrhaging chances, and the center back pairing of Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger had an atrocious game together, failing to mark several Betis forwards while offering no real help to the fullbacks or aggression in winning the ball in midfield.
Poor challenges, poor positioning, and underwhelming displays in big games have been the hallmark of this Real Madrid defense in 2025/26, and though Carlo Ancelotti had been begging Florentino Perez literally for years for more center backs, the club's only addition since signing Rudiger for free in 2022 was the Huijsen deal in 2025.
Real Madrid are in tatters defensively whenever Eder Militao is injured, and the Brazilian's latest season ending injury only further exposed the lack of quality and depth at the position. So when Real Madrid begin the summer transfer window and another retooling of a squad that is clearly second rate to the likes of rivals Barcelona and Bayern Munich, a new center back has to be the first move.
Real Madrid need a new CB
It doesn't matter who it is. Nico Schlotterbeck, Castello Lukeba, or someone with more experience. But Real Madrid have to sign someone who is a top center back not just in the future, like Huijsen may turn out to be, but someone who is already great now. They need to pay top dollar and not skimp out, and if there is someone Juni Calafat and the rest of the front office are sold on, then they need to go for that player.
On paper, Dortmund's Schlotterbeck looks like the best option from a technical and athletic standpoint, and he has been one of the best in the Bundesliga for a few years now. He has played at a higher level than Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger in the same time period, so he would be a ready made starter next to a healthy Eder Militao next season.
That's what Real Madrid need to do. The first order of business this summer in getting back to being the best in Europe is to have a defense that can actually give the offense a margin for error and have a prayer at stopping the best attacks in Europe. No more dice rolls, declining veterans, or makeshift options; Real Madrid need a top CB who can start and play at a top, top level.
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