Real Madrid have been hit with the news that Jude Bellingham will be on the sidelines until the end of September due to a calf problem.
Bellingham picked up the issue during a training session on Friday, and he is not expected to be back on the field until the end of next month, meaning that the Englishman will miss a host of important games for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Real Madrid are now stretched in midfield, as Toni Kroos retired at the end of last season, while Eduardo Camavinga will be on the sidelines until the end of September due to a knee problem which he suffered earlier this month.
With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at three potential options for Real Madrid to replace Bellingham for the coming matches.
Luka Modric
© Imago
Modric signed a new one-year deal with Real Madrid over the summer, and the Croatia international was named club captain following Nacho's exit.
The 38-year-old has been used off the bench in Real Madrid's two games this season against Atalanta BC and Mallorca, but he could now come into the XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Valladolid.
Modric scored two goals and managed eight assists in 46 appearances for Real Madrid last term, and he remains one of the most classy midfielders in world football.
The Croatian is undoubtedly the favourite to slot into the midfield in Bellingham's absence, with Modric likely to operate alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde while Bellingham and Camavinga are out of action.
Dani Ceballos
© Imago
There had been some speculation surrounding Ceballos' future earlier this summer, but the Spaniard will be staying at Real Madrid during the current market.
The 28-year-old made 27 appearances for Los Blancos last season, including 20 outings in La Liga, and he is another genuine option for the midfield spot.
Ceballos would provide balance in the middle, and he is a proven operator at this level, but he would not offer the same sort of threat as Modric in terms of creation.
The Spaniard has made 148 appearances for Real Madrid during his time at the club, scoring seven goals and registering 14 assists in the process.
With Modric unable to play every match due to his age, it is very likely that there will be starts for Ceballos in the coming weeks.
Arda Guler
© Reuters
Guler was excellent for Real Madrid in the latter stages of last season, ending the campaign with six goals in 12 appearances, and he then demonstrated his class for Turkey at this summer's European Championship.
The 19-year-old is not a central midfielder, so if he was introduced, it would mean a change of system for Ancelotti.
In that scenario, Tchouameni and Valverde would operate as the midfield two, with Guler pushing forward into a number 10 role, and then Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe featuring as the front three.
At home against so-called lesser opposition, that system may work, but Ancelotti would be reluctant to name that system in tough away matches, as it could leave the back four extremely vulnerable.
Guler has only played five minutes of football across Real Madrid's two games this season, but he could now be in line for a more regular role while Bellingham and Camavinga are unavailable for selection.
