The exit of Xabi Alonso has taken its toll on Real Madrid with the new pair of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos fighting hard to get an understanding in their play with none of them naturally a defensive player.
This in one way or the other have exposed Madrid to lot of danger and attack from opponents although they remain a threat going forward. This was a major reason why they have lost twice to Atletico Madrid this season.
The only option for the replacement of Xabi Alonso is Asier Illarramendi who has somehow been forgotten as a major part of the team. He was signed from Real Sociedad in 2013 for a fee of €40 million after taxes and was nicknamed ‘the next Alonso’.
After a disappointing debut season which saw the Spaniard struggle to live up to expectation, his cameo performance in the 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo is raising a lot of interest in the midfielder.
Can Illaramendi be the answer to the team’s problems in central midfield position?
A major challenge to Asier Illarramendi’s place in Real Madrid is the German Sami Khedira but with Khedira out injured, it may be the best time for Illaramendi to fight for a place in the team.
The 24 year old midfielder replaced Karim Benzema on Saturday and restored balance to the team’s midfield and his tidy display must be commended.
His play showed what Real Madrid have been missing recently with no defensive shield from Modric and Kroos and the stability he brought allowed teammates to surge forward and added five goals to the existing three before his entrance.
Despite this display, Illaramendi may not have done enough to convince the manager of a place in the team especially after his woeful performance against Borussia Dortmund last season.
It will be a difficult task for any manager to drop James Rodriguez, Luka Modric or Toni Kroos for Illaramendi at least for now.
Illaramendi will need to continue a good run of form and show why he was brought for so much by Real Madrid.
Competition is part of football and that’s exactly what Illaramendi will have to get used to in a bid to earn himself a place in the squad.
Khedira has and will find a space on his return. The level of faith Ancelotti has in Illaramendi must be minute and the midfielder will have to grow up as soon as possible with consistency to claim a place in the team.
Illaramendi may not have what it takes to start for Madrid now, but his display showed lot of encouragement and this will probably push Carlo Ancelotti in giving him more playing time probably from the bench and who knows what could happen.
With injuries to other players and drop in form inevitable, it might just be the right time for Asier Illarramendi to prove and show how good he is.
