Wolverhampton Wanderers’ on-loan defender, Jesus Vallejo, could be set to return to Real Madrid in January, according to Defensa Central.
The Spanish news outlet on Real Madrid has reported that El Blancos are aware of the 22-year-old’s lack of minutes and are considering a potential recall (via Sport Witness).
While the defender is not getting the time on the pitch Real had desired, there is no apparent bad blood between the two clubs over the way the loan is progressing (as per Defensa Central).
Real’s plans for the 22-year-old
The Spanish gargantuan’s did have a plan in the works for Vallejo, the first stage of which was for the youngster to be a consistent first-team performer for Nuno Espirito Santo (via Sport Witness).
After a season at Molineux, the plan was for the Spaniard to then return to the Santiago Bernabeu as a fourth choice central defender for next season.
However, with Real ‘very attentive’ over Espirito Santo’s selection of the 22-year-old, it looks as though their plans have been derailed and a possible return to Spain is on the card in January.
TiF Tactics – How does Vallejo compare to what Wolves have?
The £9-million rated man has only featured in 162 Premier League minutes for the Old Gold so far this term, across two outings in the league (per Transfermarkt).
With the Spaniard picking up the worst average rating within the senior squad for the season so far, with a 6.18/10 (as per Whoscored), two predominantly defensive midfielders, Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker, were selected ahead of him in Wolves’ last outing against Aston Villa (per BBC).
When in comparison to Wolves’ star centre-back, Willy Boly, the gulf in class becomes apparent so far this season.
Boly has an average rating of 7.35/10 for the season so far, vastly outweighing his Real Madrid loan counterpart (per Whoscored).
The Frenchman has averaged 3.0 tackles per 90 across eight outings, with 1.9 interceptions and 6.5 clearances, Vallejo, however, has 0.5 tackles, 1.0 interceptions and 3.5 clearances average across two outings (per Whoscored).
It is clear that the loan move is just not working out as both parties had hoped for, with Vallejo still not making the cut despite injuries to Boly and Ryan Bennett (via Birmingham Mail).
It may be best for all parties if the Spaniard was recalled in January and shipped out to club closer to home where the 22-year-old could pick up regular first-team minutes to continue his development.