Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao Injury Blows Makes Jose Mourinho Think Michael Essien for Full Back Role

Monday, 15th October, 2012

Jose Mourinho is considering how to reshuffle his Real Madrid pack after Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao both picked up injuries on international duty.

Coentrao suffered a groin strain when Portugal played Russia on Friday and yesterday Marcelo fractured his fifth metatarsal in his right foot; the Brazil star is expected to be out of action for three months.

relatedNewsStoryThese injuries to both Mourinho’s left backs places the Portuguese coach in a quandary, with Coentrao, who would have been Marcelo’s replacement, set to miss a month with his groin strain.

Now the Real Madrid manager is thinking of bringing Michael Essien in and handing the midfielder a role at right back.

That would then allow Alvaro Arbeloa to be switched from right back to left back, covering the absence.

The alternatives for Mourinho include playing Sergio Ramos at right back, something which would also send Arbeloa to the left back slot.

Mourinho’s final option is to call up Real Madrid B’s left back, Jorge Casado.

However, that would not work for the Champions League, as the 23-year-old is not on the side’s list for the competition.

Real Madrid are next in action at the weekend, when newly promoted Celta Vigo are the visitors to the Bernabeu.