Theo, Llorente: Real to finally have Marcelo, Casemiro cover
Marcos Llorente will provide competition in defensive midfield, and Theo Hernández's expected arrival means Real Madrid can rest MarceloAl-Jazira-Real Madrid live online
It remains to be seen what will happen this summer in the Real Madrid goal - where Keylor Navas has undergone an end-of-season resurgence but possible signings David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois still loom large - and whether Los Blancos will complete a marquee capture such as Monaco's Kylian Mbappé, who is being heavily linked with the Bernabéu.
Llorente, Theo to plug Real Madrid squad's chief gaps
But in an otherwise strong Real squad, from which head coach Zinedine Zidane can pretty much name two match-winning starting XIs, the two major areas of weakness have already been solved. Marcelo and Casemiro are finally to have proper back-up at left-back and in defensive midfield, respectively.
There had been no other player in Casemiro's mould in the first-team squad, with Mateo Kovacic and, less frequently, Toni Kroos drafted in at anchorman when he's been unavailable. However, the Brazilian will next term have competition in the shape of Marcos Llorente, who has shone on loan at Alavés in 2016/17.
Meanwhile, expected close-season recruit Theo Hernández - who has also enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Alavés, on loan from Atlético Madrid - will be on hand to give Marcelo a rest, until the time comes for the French teenager to take over from the 29-year-old permanently.
Vallejo to fill void left by Pepe as Real lower average age
The summer is set to bring an injection of youth into the Real group, with the arrivals of Hernández (19), Llorente (22) and central defender Jesús Vallejo (20) coming at the same time as the anticipated departures of older squad members such as Pepe (34) and Fabio Coentrao (29).
Earmarked as Pepe's replacement, Vallejo has blossomed during a successful season-long temporary stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, making 27 appearances in all competitions in his year with the Bundesliga outfit.
