Khedira Injury, Xabi Alonso Exit Leave Real Madrid Short-Staffed Ahead of Derby

If Xabi Alonso's sudden exit came as an unpleasant surprise to Real Madrid last week, then Sami Khedira's latest injury setback will have sent the club reeling, especially with the city derby against Atletico just 11 days away.

Khedira, who underwent an MRI scan while on international duty with Germany on Tuesday, will miss up to six weeks of action with a torn left thigh, according to Bild (h/t Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC)—a stretch that will also include Champions League matches against Basel and Ludogorets.

He should be back for the European Cup-holders' trip to Liverpool on October 22, but by that point, Real Madrid will already be eight games into their Primera Division campaign and preparing for a late-October showdown with archrivals Barcelona.

Given that Khedira had only just returned from a serious knee injury that interrupted much of last season and parts of the World Cup, he'll almost certainly not be match-fit when the Catalans drop in on the Bernabeu. And with Alonso having joined Bayern Munich late last month, his absence will leave Los Blancos precariously short-staffed at a critical juncture in the schedule.

Alexander Hassenstein/Associated Press

Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn't have known about Khedira's thigh injury when he addressed Madrid's transfer policy on Monday, but his remark that he "wouldn't have done things the way they have been done" now seems rather prophetic.

In an interview with Diario AS, Ronaldo lamented the sales of both Alonso and Angel Di Maria—both of whom he asserted were "very important players" in the team that secured La Decima back in May.

"But now we have others, and we have to be content with those we have on board," he added.

The thing is, neither Toni Kroos nor James Rodriguez—both of whom were acquired during the summer—is a natural replacement for Khedira in the centre of midfield although Kroos, Isco and Luka Modric worked the centre of the park until Khedira's introduction in the 74th minute against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The arrangement was a disaster, and despite taking a 2-0 lead, Madrid were eventually cut to ribbons as the Basque outfit came back to win 4-2.

Following the match, Spanish outlet Marca recalled the midfield trio of Alonso, Modric and Di Maria that was so instrumental in the club's success last season.

"Right now," wrote columnist Hugo Cerezo, "everything points to Khedira being the solution."

Khedira won't be anything for Madrid for at least a month and a half, and until his return, it will fall to Asier Illarramendi to glue midfield back together.

There is no one else. And it begs the question: With 10 muscle and ligament injuries to his name since 2009, why was Khedira not provided meaningful cover in his position?

In this context, the Xabi Alonso sale reveals a considerable—and perhaps devastating—lack of foresight.

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