Álvaro Arbeloa’s tenure as Real Madrid coach began with unprecedentedly strong and decisive decisions since taking over from Xabi Alonso. The new manager didn’t just revamp the team’s style of play; he identified from the outset the players whose projects no longer aligned with his philosophy, sending a clear message to everyone: any player who doesn’t meet the club’s standards will not get a chance to play.
The defeat in the Spanish Super Cup, coupled with the accumulated fatigue from the previous season and the elimination from the Copa del Rey, helped Arbeloa make his decisions more quickly and decisively. The coach wants a cohesive team that is fully aligned with his footballing philosophy, and he believes that some players are no longer contributing the required level of performance.
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According to sources, from day one, Arbeloa identified three players who will not play another minute in a Real Madrid shirt unless there is a radical overhaul. These players are Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, and David Alaba. Each of them played a significant role in the club’s recent history, but their declining form has placed them outside the new manager’s plans.
In Ceballos’ case, Arbeloa believes his inconsistency and lack of impact in crucial matches have rendered him unreliable. Mendy, meanwhile, has been sidelined from the back line by recurring injuries and a decline in form, while the coach feels Alaba no longer provides the necessary physical or competitive guarantees after a series of injuries.
The decision is clear and decisive: these three players are not part of Arbeloa’s current plans and will only play if a radical overhaul occurs, which seems unlikely at present. The sporting management has already begun preparing for their departure, not only to alleviate the financial burden but also to make room for new faces capable of delivering outstanding performances from the first minute.
With this move, Real Madrid’s management and the new coach are sending a strong message to the dressing room: any player who is no longer up to the team’s standards has no place in the starting lineup. Thus begins Arbeloa’s era with rigorous reforms and the building of a new team capable of competing at the highest level without setbacks or exceptions.
