Real Madrid News
Arbeloa to send Real Madrid starlet back to Castilla as veteran pushes for more minutes
David Jimenez made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid last weekend when he started at right-back against Valencia at Mestalla.
The 21-year-old academy product went on to play more than 70 minutes against Los Che, giving a good account of himself before eventually making way for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jimenez’s potential and development have impressed Real Madrid, so much so that the club already sees him as a part of the first-team squad for next season.
Jimenez returns to Castilla for now
However, for now, according to MARCA, Jimenez returns to Castilla to play tomorrow against Athletic Club, with Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold being the top choices at right-backs for the Real Madrid senior team.
This comes after Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa held a conversation last Tuesday in which they put an end to any issues or doubts regarding the captain’s fitness and role in the team.
The veteran defender feels ready to help the team after ten matches in which he has barely featured under the coach, despite being included in squad lists. He was visibly frustrated with his situation, especially after the Valencia game where he did not even warm up.
As such, there is now a good chance that Carvajal starts this weekend against Real Sociedad, with Trent providing cover on the bench.
So, the decision has been made by Arbeloa to send Jimenez back to Castilla, with the manager seemingly confident that his two right-backs are fully fit and ready to compete for the starting spot.
Real Madrid will be gunning for their fourth consecutive win in La Liga tonight when they take on Real Betis away at Estadio de La Cartuja.
The Merengues, led by Jose Mourinho, are one of two clubs to have maintained a perfect start to the season, along with arch-rivals Barcelona, and will be intent on carrying the streak forward.
Ahead of kickoff , Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
And, Mourinho has made a few changes to the side that started against Malaga last weekend.
Arda Guler, who scored Real Madrid’s fourth goal in the last game, gets the nod on the right flank ahead of Brahim Diaz.
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham make up the rest of the attacking contingent for the record European champions. Meanwhile, marquee summer signing Yan Diomande continues on the bench.
There is no change in midfield as the manager has opted to stick with the pivot pairing of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, leaving Bernardo Silva out.
However, Mourinho has made a couple of switches in defence, with Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate coming into the team, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger, respectively.
Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella complete the rest of the backline that shields Thibaut Courtois in goal.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 4, 2026
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