Real Madrid has promoted Antonio Blanco for first-team role next season as Casemiro's back-up

Zidane lacks options in the defensive midfield position.

Antonio Blanco is set for a first-team role at Real Madrid next season after impressing in the UEFA Youth League.

According to Marca, a tier-one source, the Spaniard is considered to be Casemiro's only 'pure substitute' available to Zinedine Zidane.

The 20-year-old midfielder is expected to be on the bench when the Blancos kick off their 2020/21 La Liga campaign away at Real Sociedad this Saturday.

Blanco, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires next summer, featured in 29 games for the Under-19s side last season, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists.