Five defenders Real Madrid could sign to replace Eder Militao

Cameron Smith

13 Aug 2023 16:22 BST
6 min read

Benjamin Pavard, Real Madrid — © ProShots

Eder Militao has become the second Real Madrid player within the space of a week to suffer a potentially season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, with the Brazilian forced off early during Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Athletic Club.

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It follows news that Thibaut Courtois will miss the majority of the 2023-24 campaign after suffering the same injury just days ago.

Militao hyper-extended his left knee in Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Athletic Club and will now undergo surgery in the coming days. He is expected to be ruled out for most, if not all, of the current campaign.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

It leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just three fit senior centre-backs options - Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Nacho Fernandez.

As a result, Real Madrid are poised to dip into the market in search of a replacement for Militao, similar to how they have identified Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga as Courtois deputy for the 2023-24 season. The Spanirad is on the verge of joining Los Blancos on a season-long loan.

Using data analytics expert SciSports’ player similarity tool, here are five options, with a 90% similarity to Militao’s playing style, who Real Madrid could sign before the transfer window ends on 1 September.

MORE: Kepa to Real Madrid: Chelsea's goalkeeper situation is a MESS

Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City

Aymeric Laporte has become a bit-part player at Man City in recent years - despite previously being so key to Pep Guardiola’s system - and made just 12 Premier League appearances last term.

Nathan Ake was preferred at left-back, John Stones and Ruben Dias was the first-choice centre-back pairing, while new signing Manuel Akanji was utilised in every position in the backline by Guardiola.

Laporte, who represents Spain at international level, did not start the 2023 Community Shield final or Man City’s league opener against Burnley, and Josko Gvardiol’s arrival has pushed him further down the pecking order.

He wouldn’t be a great option next to David Alaba, who seems to be first-choice at Real Madrid, due to both being left-footed, but Laporte would be a great addition and likely wouldn’t cost too much as he only has two years left on his Man City contract.

Fikayo Tomori - AC Milan

This one would be far harder to complete, given Fikayo Tomori signed a new AC Milan contract last year, but the Englishman profiles similarly to Militao, according to SciSports, and would add depth for Ancelotti.

He has been a standout performer in Serie A since he left Chelsea in 2021, with his omission from several England squads puzzling to say the least.

Tomori was a key reason why Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals last season and was one of the Italian top flight’s best defenders yet again last year. He does have an error in him, but so does Militao, and he would be a good stopgap option before the Brazilian returns to fitness.

Benjamin Pavard - Bayern Munich

Benjamin Pavard is desperate to play centre-back, but Bayern Munich still see him as more of a right-back and have further strengthened their roster in the middle of defence with the addition of Napoli’s Kim Min-jae.

As a result, the France international has been heavily linked with a summer exit and multiple clubs across Europe are keeping tabs on his situation in Bavaria.

Man Utd and Man City have both been credited with interest in Pavard, and Erik ten Hag’s side are seen as a viable destination as they look to offload Harry Maguire and sign an upgrade.

Real Madrid would be wise to hijack the Red Devils’ hopes of signing Pavard as the Frenchman would be a fantastic replacement for Militao in the short-term and a realistic upgrade on Daniel Carvajal at right-back in the long-term.

Alessandro Bastoni - Inter Milan

Alessandro Bastoni was wanted by several clubs last summer - most notably Tottenham - but interest this summer has been few and far between, meaning Real Madrid could have a free run at his signature.

The Italy international has starred at Inter Milan in recent years and despite being just 24 years old, he already has over 170 senior games under his belt, so experience isn’t an issue.

Like with Laporte, his left-footedness means a partnership with Alaba wouldn’t be ideal, but Bastoni is a high-quality option and would be a great fit at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Kevin Danso - RC Lens

The fifth and final suggestion for Militao’s replacement, according to SciSports’ algorithm, is RC Lens’ Kevin Danso.

Real Madrid have experience of signing a promising young centre-back from Lens, as seen with their purchase of Raphael Varane back in 2011, and Danso could be a shrewd addition.

The 24-year-old Austrian is incredibly comfortable, and progressive, on the ball and would add a new profile to the Los Blancos backline.

He wouldn’t cost too much and Real Madrid could get ahead of the competition by signing Danso this summer - one summer before he is most likely on the radar of other top European clubs.