Real Madrid is working on the second line, while the first team fights for the league title, to make the squad for the white team in the 2021-22 season. Efforts are of course dedicated to the big names, those that are already closed (Alaba, in the absence of an official signature) and those that are expected to arrive (Mbappé, ahead of everyone else). But they also work in the closet fund and in that sense Madrid has decided to provide the team with breadth next year thanks to players from the quarry, with two safe names already on the table: Miguel Gutiérrez and Antonio Blanco. The two will be from the first team from July.
The decision is logical, it was only necessary to see them in the opportunities they have had this season to appreciate that they had what it takes to be part of the Madrid group. Blanco made it clear in the two games in which he started, against Cádiz (0-3) and Osasuna (2-0); the team won and was solvent back and forth, and at the center the seams were not seen at any time. In addition, with his promotion to the first team, Madrid will correct a deficiency that has been dragging on for two years, since Marcos Llorente left for Atlético: that of a guaranteed player to give Casemiro minutes of rest.
In Miguel's case, his debut with the first team was made to wait longer, but against Granada he was finally a starter in a highly demanding duel, with the title at stake, and the response was as expected.. Not only did he leave behind excellent manners and a lot of presence at the top, but also personality to assist Modric with a subtle touch of Vaseline to make it 0-1 and open the way to victory. The rise of Miguel Gutiérrez throughout the last seasons in the white quarry was perfectly documented in Madrid, what happened in Granada only served to certify what was already sensed.
In addition, the left-back would arrive to make up for another lack of the team, that of the player who gives Mendy minutes of refreshment, who has played it almost all this season and in the end has ended up getting injured from so many games. That role was being played by Marcelo, but the final stretch of the course has shown that he is no longer at the highest level: You barely accumulate efforts and even though he has worked in his spare time with a personal trainer, when he has played he has once again wavered and is still prone to injuries.
In addition, against Sevilla he was replaced by Miguel and left with a gesture of anger. The second white captain has it difficult to continue accumulating minutes in Madrid, the club will try to get him out this summer, although for this he needs to find someone to take over his salary (eight million net per season; he has a contract until June 2022). Miguel has offers from the First Division, but he does not look down on staying on the squad to be Mendy's substitute, knowing that the load of matches will end up giving him opportunities. The same happens with Blanco.
Arribas, Marvin and Chust
The cases of Miguel and Blanco are those that already have a practically firm decision; there are other names on the table, those of Arribas, Marvin and Chust. All three depend on various issues, starting with whether or not Raúl's Castilla is promoted to the Second Division (this Sunday they play the first Play-off match against Ibiza). Arribas likes Zidane, and a lot, so if the Frenchman continues at Madrid, he has good prospects. It depends, of course, on what happens with players of your profile in the current squad, especially Isco and Odegaard. If one of the two leaves (it is very likely, especially in the case of Malaga; the club does not consider selling to the Norwegian), a gap would open for Arribas.
Marvin is a winger that Zidane uses as a right-back, either in a common full-back or lane formation in a three-center system.. With Carvajal and with the possible renewal of Lucas Vázquez (the agreement is closer after the last offer from Madrid), Odriozola would continue to be in the bedroom, although it is likely that Madrid will look for a team this summer. An unfavorable environment for Marvin to make room for himself, but his versatility to play defense and offense is a very usable wild card. If that happens, it remains to be seen if the central fourth position would be for the youth squad or for Vallejo, on loan at Granada.