Since the arrival of Xabi Alonso, the French midfielder has been the heartbeat of the team in the center of the field, dictating the pace, breaking lines and protecting the defense with notable maturity.
However, his absence now forces Alonso to rethink his options and rather than looking externally, the club may already have the answer within its own walls.
According to AS, Real Madrid is seriously thinking about giving a chance to two Castilla youth players, Thiago Pitarch and Jorge Cestero.
Both players have earned excellent internal reviews this season, and their ball intelligence and tactical understanding stand out even among high-level professionals.
Pitarch just ahead in the order
Pitarch, only 18 years old, has been on the rise for months. After representing Spain in the U-20 World Cup, he returned to the club and rejoined Castilla without problems.
Alonso was reportedly impressed from the moment he saw him in training and privately admitted that the youngster’s composure and passing range are beyond his years.
Madrid quickly moved to secure his future with a new contract, and he has already been part of five senior squads for the matchday, a sign of how highly regarded he is.
And Basketro?
Along with him, Jorge Cestero, 19, has been equally striking. Known for his positional discipline and clear distribution, he has become a key part of Álvaro Arbeloa’s Castilla midfield.
Arbeloa, who maintains a close working relationship with Alonso, recently had emphatic praise for his young protégé: “Right now he is the best number six in Spain.”
Alonso’s reliance on youth is well documented, and both Pitarch and Cestero seem to fit the tactical mold he desires.
With Tchouameni’s recovery expected to take three weeks, the Real Madrid boss could soon turn to his academy to maintain pace and balance in midfield.