LWinter comes and defenses suffer. Soccer has not escaped the cold. This end of the year (and beginning of the season) is wreaking havoc on the immune systems of the biggest clubs in Europe. Neymar, Haaland, Mbappé, Sancho, Lautaro … TOP attacking players get their ears ringing every time they talk about the next bombshell in the transfer market. However, the uncertainties in the rear today mark the agenda of the best teams.

Sergio Ramos will be able to negotiate for the club of his choice in just over a month. Just that ‘little detail’ should already be enough to set off the alarms … and it is not the only one in the white club offices. Added to the lack of understanding with the camero are other concerns such as Varane’s recent mistakes, Marcelo’s performance downturn, Militäo’s lack of adaptation, Carvajal’s replacement on the right-back or Nacho’s few minutes … although next to the non-renewal of Ramos, any of these issues seems an insignificant matter.

We have heard Ronald Koeman ask for a forward and a center back. On the offensive plot it has Messi, Griezmann, Ansu Fati (injured), Dembélé, Trincao or Pedri, while in the rear with Piqué, Lenglet, Umtiti and Araújo … Of these four names, the only one who seems to convince 100 % to the Dutch coach is Piqué. So much so that he has even opted to convert De Jong into defense. And all because Lenglet has started the course with serious failures, Umtiti has not competed for almost five months or Araújo still does not have experience in the elite. While waiting for the arrival of Eric García, there are already rumors that the Barça club could seek an emergency loan in the next winter market.

Liverpool fans have good reason to believe that they are under a curse whereby they can only celebrate one league every 30 years. The team’s four starting defenders are injured! The first to fall was Van Dijk , with a torn ligament in his right knee that will leave him in dry dock all season. His dance partner, Joe Gomez , who was seriously injured in his left knee, could be lost at the same time . And from the center to the sides. The last to make an appointment at the infirmary was Andrew Robertson , due to a problem with his hamstring. The Scotsman will have his friend Alexander-Arnold on the stretcher next to him , a month off due to a muscle problem.If Klopp wins the Premier with Matip and Rhis Williams as central, we will have to consider a name change at Anfield …

The European champion is getting closer to experiencing a deep restructuring in his back. All the lights point to David Alaba. Leader in the center of the rear, he ends next year and today he would be closer to leaving Bavaria than to continuing. The Austrian would not be the only center-back to come out next summer. According to Bild , Bayern would have made the decision not to renew Jerome Boateng , whose link with the club also expires in 2021. With the departure of both players, Flick would lose the two center-backs with whom he conquered the last Champions League. And for zero euros … This uncertainty also coincides with the loss of Alphonse Davies, injured by a torn ligament from October to December.

Immersed in the renovations of Mbappé and Neymar, Leonardo also has pending tasks in a less glamorous area such as defense. Tuchel has two top-level centers with Marquinhos and Kimpembe. However, the German coach likes the Brazilian in the middle better … which leaves a free gap in the center of the rear. The same one that the season was owned by Thiago Silva, who did not have his contract extended after eight years at PSG and despite being a starter until the end. The problem is so real that this season a midfielder like Danilo Pereira has come to play in defense. To this is added the serious injury of the Spanish Juan Bernat, who suffered in September a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee And he won’t be back until next year.

The Juventus Andrea Pirlo has prioritized head … even though he dresses the feet. The Italian champion has signed attackers such as Morata, Chiesa or Kulusevski in the market, but has barely touched the defensive line. A key area for the debuting technician, who is implementing a system with three centers and two lanes. The problems that the Bianconero team is suffering also go to the rear. Partly because of the long-term absences of men like De Ligt and Alex Sandro, the advanced age of myths like Bonucci and Chiellini or the irregular performance of full-backs who fall short like Danilo or Cuadrado . Cristiano’s goals cannot always hide Juve’s holes.

The eternal talk of Old Trafford. The return of Manchester United to the place where it belongs by history depends on getting stronger behind. The ‘Red Devils’ improved substantially last season. However, this has been ripped off with gross mistakes. Harry Maguire, the most expensive captain and center-back in history, is being widely discussed for his mistakes and lack of leadership. His companion, Víctor Lindelöf , is not out of tune … but neither is he Ferdinand or Vidic. Alex Telles , brand new signing for the left back, has barely been able to start due to his positive for coronavirus. Much is said about Jadon Sancho, although the houses begin by being built on the ground and not the roof.