It has not been easy for Jesus Vallejo to break into the Real Madrid team and finally after 15 games, including the Supercopa matches in August and the LaLiga and Champions League games, on his 21st birthday he stopped being the only member of the squad not have played this season.
Clearly injury problems played a part in his delayed opportunity but also he has taken longer than expected to adapt to the first team.
However, against Numancia, he demonstrated that he has what it takes to wear the Madrid shirt with pride and in his fifth game as a starter, he helped to ensure that they kept a clean sheet, something he has managed in 80% of his games. Numancia was the last team in a list that includes Fuenlabrado, Las Palmas and Sevilla.
None of the other defenders including the regulars, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos and Marcelo can boast a similarly positive statistic, during a season where they have not been particularly solid at the back.
Opportunity without Ramos
Zidane has been quick to praise Vallejo when he has been asked about him and he is now an alternative for the trip to Vigo with Ramos injured and Carvajal suspended. That is if Zidane puts Nacho on the right instead of Achraf.
Whatever happens against Celta, the injury to Ramos means that there will be more openings for Vallejo who has a promising future ahead of him.
