Real Madrid are short of central defenders currently, but it makes it no less impressive that they have decided to bring 16-year-old Joan Martinez on their preseason tour with them. The talented teenager has been earmarked as their most promising central defender at Valdebebas.
Carlo Ancelottiw will only have Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo available from the start of their preseason tour, with Eder Militao joining the squad in the USA. Real Madrid Castilla defenders Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencio will also travel, but the inclusion of Martinez has made the headlines, as per Diario AS. No doubt all three will seek this as a unique opportunity with Ancelotti short on central defenders.
🚨⚪️ Real Madrid have decided for 16 year old talented CB Joan Martínez to travel to the US.
He’s highly rated internally at the club.
Martínez also decided to sign with agent Fali Ramadani together with his historical agent Javier Coso — same who did Buba Sangaré deal to Roma. pic.twitter.com/Eviib2bNwE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2024
Martinez started off last season in the under-17s, but in the final months of the campaign was part of Alvaro Arbeloa’s under-19 team, and even trained on occasion with Raul’s Castilla team. Los Blancos are yet to take a decision on whether they should have Martinez playing for Castilla next season or the under-19s.