Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho unconvinced by 23-year-old Real Madrid defender as club weigh summer alternatives
One of Real Madrid’s biggest decisions this summer may not involve a new signing but rather a player who arrived at the club only a year ago.
According to journalist Miguel Serrano on Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho has serious doubts about Alvaro Carreras and is not fully convinced by the options currently available at left-back.
The report claims that former manager Alvaro Arbeloa provided highly negative assessments of the defender, information that has influenced Mourinho’s early planning ahead of the new season.
Carreras joined Real Madrid from Benfica in 2025 and was viewed as a long-term solution on the left side of defence.
He even had a good start to his time in Madrid under Xabi Alonso, but his influence in the team started waning once Alvaro Arbeloa became manager.
While there were periods when the Spaniard showed promise, his performances became increasingly inconsistent as the season progressed.
Mourinho wants more competition at left-back
Mourinho is said to want reinforcements at left-back. That does not necessarily mean Carreras is destined to leave immediately, but it does underline the manager’s lack of confidence in the current situation.
Ferland Mendy continues to be respected for his defensive qualities, but he is currently injured and could be out for a significant while, making him extremely unreliable.
Fran Garcia’s future is also uncertain. Regardless, if Madrid were to bring in a new left-back this summer, one of Alvaro or Fran would likely leave the club.
The club are continually linked with marquee names such as Riccardo Calafiori and Josko Gvardiol, and both could be options to play in that position next season.
Real Madrid may still protect their investment
Despite Mourinho’s concerns, Carreras is not expected to be pushed out easily.
It would not be a good reflection of the club’s long-term planning if Madrid decided to cash in just 12 months after signing him, especially when there is obvious talent to work with.
Some of Madrid’s best players in history have not had the greatest first seasons, and selling him now would not be a wise choice.
Carreras remains a Real Madrid player and should receive opportunities to convince Mourinho. However, there is nothing wrong with bringing in some competition.
As Real Madrid continue to reshape the squad under Mourinho, it remains to be seen how the left-back situation sorts itself out between now and the start of the 2026/27 season.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
