Éder Militao goes after Dean Huijsen to say it to his face: 'You're the a...'

Xabi Alonso's start on the Bernabéu bench isn't being easy at all, but little by little he's finding the right formula. The team showed its best version in the last match against Athletic Club. Mbappé was once again decisive in attack with a memorable brace, but the big news for Real Madrid was in the defensive area.

From the very beginning, the backline has been the area that's given Xabi the most headaches since his arrival. The constant injuries and the inconsistent performances of players like Dean Huijsen have weighed the team down in the early stages. However, at San Mamés, the center-back pairing of Rüdiger and Éder Militao, with Asencio in the rearguard, performed at a high level.

Éder Militao confirms Dean Huijsen's status

At this moment, it seems clear that if Xabi Alonso had to risk everything, he'd do it alongside Rüdiger and Éder Militao. The German has returned from injury at 100%, showing that he still has plenty left in the tank despite being 32 years old. Meanwhile, the Brazilian is starting to remind everyone of the center-back many considered the best in the world before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament twice.

On the other hand, the one who's getting further away from the starting line-up is Dean Huijsen. It's true that he's currently injured, but the truth is that when he's played, he hasn't left a good impression. His lapses in concentration and lack of forcefulness have sparked some criticism and, very likely, will mean he'll be on the bench when he's recovered.

In this context, Éder Militao has spoken to Dean Huijsen privately to send him a message that should make him react. "You're the fourth center-back right now", he reportedly told him after seeing Xabi's latest line-ups. Yes, as strange as it may seem, Rüdiger, Militao, and Asencio are ahead of Huijsen at this moment.

Dean Huijsen needs to react urgently

Dean Huijsen arrived as one of Real Madrid's big signings this summer, but right now he's at a crossroads. He needs to regain his form to become a starter again. Otherwise, if nothing changes, when the important matches come, he'll have to watch them from the bench.

For the coaching staff, the situation is clear at this moment. Xabi Alonso won't take any risks, so whenever he can, he'll line up Rüdiger alongside Éder Militao in the center of the backline. That's without forgetting Asencio, who always delivers every time he steps onto the field.