When the name of Alessandro Nesta began to circulate in the New York Red Bulls rumor mill, it was greeted with resounding resignation. A 36 year old Italian defender with a recent history of injuries who hasn’t featured on his current side? Does New York need to take on another reclamation project?

Suddenly, the Italian International looks like a more palatable option.

Wilman Conde, who has suffered a disappointing start to his Red Bull career, has compounded on his issues. The oft-injured Red Bull centerback was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer after cops were called to his home at 5:30am on a noise complaint. The interrogation escalated to the point where the Colombian defender pushed the attending officer after he addressed a lady in his apartment.

Conde has been released and will face his day in court. Though the infraction will likely result in little more than a fine and a slap on the wrist, it is only the latest blemish the Red Bulls have endured with the former MLS All Star since his arrival. Conde has played and started in all of two matches this season as he battles a groin injury. Prior to that, New York took a chance on the big defender who had not played a single professional match in over a year thanks to an operation on the defender’s left instep.

His health already a concern, management has hinted towards possible reinforcement’s to the backline. Soler said this week that he was proud of the work his rookie defenders had put in, but didn’t see them as a short term solution towards success. This episode may only push the team’s hand to delve into the market for answers.

If Alessandro Nesta was simply an inquiry, he may now become a necessity in the Red Bulls eyes. New York has pressing issues to address, starting with a distributor in the midfield, but suddenly, the long term prospects of the defense this season fall more precarious than ever with the state of Wilman Conde in question.