Vallejo: “My plan is to establish myself at Real Madrid, I’m ready”

It’s fair and safe to say that Jesus Vallejo hasn’t reached the potential Real Madrid thought he had. His last two seasons with Granada were solid and decent, but Vallejo could even find himself out of Madrid for yet another year. He talked to El Periodico de Aragon about his future and revealed that he wants to stay, though.

“I’m always ready to play there, this last year and a half with Granada was good for me and my plan is to stop doing loan deals. I have four more years on my contract there and my plan is to establish myself at Real Madrid, that’s why I signed for them back in the day. I believe the Olympic Games could open the doors for me to stay with the first team,” said Vallejo.

Real Madrid have some decisions to make about their defensive line. Sergio Ramos just left the club and Raphael Varane could also be on his way out. If that’s the case, Los Blancos will either have to sign a replacement —Kounde and Pau Torres are on top of their list— or trust Vallejo for that fourth spot, with Militao, Alaba and Nacho being the three defenders ahead of him in the rotation.

“I don’t know if Ramos’ departure opens the door for me or not, although it’s clear that it is one more spot. What I do know is that in Real Madrid you’re not only competing with the players who are there, you are also competing with the potential signings who might come to the club,” he added.

Vallejo went on and explained why his experience in Granada helped him become a better player, even if he wasn’t an undisputed starter there.

“I feel myself very ready and that’s the only thing that’s in my head. This time in Granada helped me, I played many games every three days and I worked with [coach] Diego Martinez. I consider myself a better player now and therefore I’m more ready to play for Real Madrid,” concluded Vallejo.

Is Vallejo ready to be the team’s fourth option for the center-back spot? Probably. Still, that’d mean that Real Madrid’s three center-backs ahead of him are Militao, Alaba and Nacho, a group that ultimately could require some more help considering how long and tough the upcoming season is expected to be.