PETE JENSON: Ramos and Varane will leave a void as big as Ronaldo

PETE JENSON: Sergio Ramos will leave as big a void as Cristiano Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and with United-bound Raphael Varane also on the way out, one thing is for sure… David Alaba, Eder Militao and Nacho have BIG shoes to fill

• Real Madrid face a rebuilding job in defence after two big defenders left the club 
• Sergio Ramos will be a tough act to follow after joining PSG on a free transfer 
• Raphael Varane is also set to leave with Manchester United the likely destination
• David Alaba shares many qualities with Ramos but Nacho recaptures his spirit 
• Eder Militao will also have to step up to the plate for manager Carlo Ancelotti  

Replacing Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid will be as difficult as replacing Cristiano Ronaldo. He was Real Madrid’s captain, leader, legend and he leaves a huge hole in the dressing room and in the centre of the defence.

The man who stepped up to replace Ronaldo three years ago was Karim Benzema, a French international already established at the club and with the quality to do the job. 

His compatriot Raphael Varane might have been to Ramos’ departure what Benzema was to Ronaldo’s but he’s off too, bound for Manchester United – so Real Madrid are left with three candidates as they look to fill the void left by their inspirational skipper. 

Sergio Ramos will leave a huge void behind him at Real Madrid after leaving for PSG 

His presence at the Bernabeu will be felt as much as the exit of forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R)

David Alaba has boldly taken his shirt number and he has the same attacking flair and versatility as Ramos.

Carlo Ancelotti has already spoken about the team’s new number four and his ability to play at left back or in holding midfield as well as in the centre of defence but Madrid are overloaded with good left backs with Miguel Gutierrez now applying pressure on Marcelo for the role of being reserve to Ferland Mendy’s first choice.  

And Casemiro is so dominant in holding midfield where he now has Antonio Blanco looking capable of covering him when necessary. So it’s at centre back where Alaba is most needed.

Raphael Varane, the one man who could step into the spotlight, is himself off to Man United

Madrid supporters were not overly convinced by Alaba’s performances at the Euros and if he makes mistakes early on, then comparisons with Ramos are inevitable. But he does have many of the same qualities.

If it doesn’t go well for Alaba at the beginning then there is no question who Madrid fans will call for. Nacho replaced Ramos in the second half of last season and if he plays, it will please supporters who feel the team is losing its Spanish heart. 

There were no Real Madrid players for Spain at Euro 2020 and when it was pointed out that Luis Enrique had not picked a single Real Madrid player because none were worthy of a place in the squad, Nacho was the name on everyone’s lips. 

He has plenty of Ramos’ spirit, he can get forward, like Ramos he’s turned out for Spain at right back as well as in the centre of defence and he’s reliable. 

He will need to weigh in with more goals if he is really to replace the Paris Saint Germain defender – but he’s the man many Madridstas will be pinning their hopes on.

David Alaba has arrived as Ramos’ replacement, but faces huge pressure to follow him

Supporters see plenty of the same spirit in centre back Nacho, who has proven reliable 

The player that the club believe can fill the hole is Eder Militao. The young Brazilian shone last season alongside Nacho during the run-in in Ramos’ absence. 

His form took him to the Copa America, although for the most part he struggled to get into the XI.

He is the player the club have invested in. They paid £42m (€50m) for him in 2019 when he was just 21. It’s the sort of fee that, just two years on, they could not possibly contemplate for a young defender.

He arrived raw and had several shocking outings in his first full season featuring in games against Cadiz and Alcoyano. But he was often brought into completely experimental teams and when he settled alongside Nacho, he looked composed defensively and a threat in attack.

Madrid spent £42m on Eder Militao and the club believe he can step up in Ramos’ absence

In terms of pace and strength he has the athleticism to match Ramos – but does he have the leadership? The fantasy football pairing might by international stars Alaba and Militao but for his organising quality, Carlo Ancelotti could end up building on the solid base that is Nacho.

One player who has already been tipped to be the new Ramos is Victor Chust.

The 21-year-old centre back has impressed during his limited game time so far. And he has already captained the Real Madrid B-team to victory in the UEFA Youth League and he has an Under-19 Euros medal too. He’s aggressive, physically imposing and he also brings the ball out from the back well with his right foot much as a young Ramos once did.

Madrid will need a fourth centre-back behind Nacho, Militao and Alaba – and Chust may well be the man for the job. Injured in the second half against Rangers, he was replaced by the 20-year-old Mario Gila who is another alternative. 

Los Blancos are also lining up Victor Chust to play a major role at the back for the club

New boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) faces a big rebuilding job in defence after taking the reigns again

And Real Madrid have Jesus Vallejo back from his loan spell at Granada and currently with the Spain Olympic team in Japan. The 24-year-old never established himself as first choice at Granada and Ancelotti might ultimately go for one of the younger options as his fourth central defender.

Had it been up to Real Madrid’s coach he would almost certainly have opted to keep both Ramos and Varane but as the club battles against losses incurred through the pandemic and with one eye on bringing in Kylian Mbappe this summer or next, they both had to leave.

Ancelotti needs to rebuild his defence and that new defence needs a leader to step out of the shadow of Ramos. Nacho, Militao and Alaba are the candidates – Ancelotti will hope he finds the right man and the right formula for the first season post-SR4.

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