Nacho: Zidane's player of confidence this season
The defender is Zidane's most used player this season with the regular rear-guard suffering a range of injuries.
Despite starting the season as the third choice central defender, his versatility and persistence have seen Nacho become Real Madrid's most used player of the campaign with a total of 2.347’ playing time in his boots. He leads the next defender, French international Varane by 284’ with Casemiro coming second in playing time clocking up 2.323 minutes of action.
This is the man from Alcalá's fifth season with the Bernabeu outfit and the plague of injuries suffered by the Real Madrid defensive player this season have seen Nacho become a key figure for Zinedine Zidane. With twelve different injuries hampering the defenders, Nacho has yet to miss any action due to any physical problems and the player himself claims: “I've been lucky, maybe it's due my lifestyle and I look after my body more than an average person".
Waiting on a contract extension
Real Madrid claimed earlier in the season that they planned to offer contract extensions to Asensio, Isco, Llorente, Marcelo, Benzema, Carvajal with Nacho not figuring in the club communique. His current Real Madrid deal expires in 2021 and despite firm interest from Serie A side AS Roma in the summer of 2014, the player has stated on may occasions his desire to retire at the Bernabeu stating: “I would love to be able to hang up my boots at Real Madrid and I'll give everything i have for the white shirt".
