Two years ago, Dani Carvajal was outstanding as a right back and had overcome his injury struggles, making him a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
This is unusual for a player in his position, but Carvajal was impressive defensively while helping his team secure titles in La Liga, the Champions League, and the European Championship.
However, this season, he has found himself frequently on the injury list. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now signed as a notable free agent, Carvajal may become less important, especially if younger players like David Jimenez perform well.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai, Carvajal wishes to remain with Real Madrid for another year. Questions surrounding his contract and future are arising, as he aims to continue in Madrid.
Despite this, Real Madrid has concerns about Carvajal. Rai notes that some within the club doubt his renewal due to questions about his physical fitness amid ongoing injuries.
At 34, Carvajal is nearing the end of his career, and the club will eventually need to move on. Instead of offering him a significant salary, they might consider making changes now.
Moreover, Real Madrid is already facing issues with player attitudes in the locker room. Can they afford to lose one of their main leaders, especially after Toni Kroos and Luka Modric left in recent summers? Also, do they have enough strong right backs to manage without Carvajal’s experience?