Asier Illarramendi is having a tougher time adapting at Real Madrid than was initially expected. According to reports by 'La Sexta', the midfielder is suffering from nerves which are taking their toll on his physical condition.

Illarramendi is simply feeling the strain both mentally and physically - something which the doctors have put down to the pressure he is under due to his recent move to 'Los Blancos'.

Furthermore, he is putting himself under additional pressure, as he is eager to play with the team as soon as possible, which is not helping him feel better. In fact, Illarra has barely trained along with the rest of his teammates since the preseason began. The Basque player felt a strain in his right leg during the first training session, on Monday 15th July, and he has been suffering ever since.

Illarramendi played the second half of the preseason game against Bournemouth. The midfielder then made the starting line-up against Olympique Lyonnaisse, but came off injured in the 34th minute after the pain flared up again. He has not played a single minute for Real Madrid since then.

The player did not travel with the squad to Gothenburg to face Paris Saint-Germain, and nor did he travel to Phoenix yesterday morning, where the side took on Los Angeles Galaxy. Illarramendi stayed behind in Los Angeles to continue with his specific recovery plan and is not expected to play in what remains of the American tour.