Despite the reinforcements brought in by Real Madrid during the last summer transfer window, Jose Mourinho will still be going into his side’s next game, against Villarreal, with several problems in defense.

The center of the backline will be the main area of concern, as several center-backs would be unavailable or doubtful for this game. Dean Huijsen will be unavailable because of the red card he received in the last game against Atletico Madrid, while Ibrahima Konate suffered a physical problem while training with France, and returned to the club without playing a single minute for the Blues in this international break. Thus, he remains doubtful for the Villarreal match.

Meanwhile, Eder Militao continues to work on his recovery, and despite starting training with the group recently, would still need several weeks to return to availability. Antonio Rudiger, on the other hand, remains available, but his recent problems with injuries mean Mourinho will still have to use him with a lot of caution.

In such a context, the academy graduate Raul Asencio, who has not played a single minute so far this season, could have been an option for the Real Madrid coach . However, he himself is not in his best physical condition, as he has been suffering from a shin problem for several months, and the problem with his right tibia is showing no signs of subsiding.

In fact, according to Diario AS , a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday between the player, the coaching staff, and the Real Madrid doctors to determine whether conservative treatment can still prove useful or whether the defender should undergo surgery.

If the latter alternative is opted for, Asencio will have to remain on the sidelines for the next three months. With his limited options in the center of the defense, this would be one of the main concerns for Mourinho and Real Madrid.

Raul Asencio was previously planning to wait till Christmas to see whether his condition would improve, but now, he can make a decision in this regard as soon as tomorrow, and hopefully, a decision will be reached that is in the best interests of all the parties involved.