Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender refuses to give up as Mourinho promises fair battle with summer signing – report
Marc Cucurella’s arrival at Real Madrid has changed the picture at left-back, but Alvaro Carreras is not ready to step aside.
According to MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), Carreras remains determined to fight for his place despite the arrival of the Spanish international from Chelsea.
While Cucurella is expected to become Jose Mourinho’s preferred option once the La Liga season gets underway, the Real Madrid manager has reportedly promised Carreras a fair opportunity to compete for the role.
The battle for the Real Madrid left-back position is therefore far from over, even if Carreras now faces a much tougher challenge than he did just a few months ago.
Cucurella’s arrival changes Real Madrid hierarchy
Carreras returned to Real Madrid last summer and was initially viewed as the club’s leading option at left-back.
However, his performances last season did not allow him to establish himself as the undisputed first-choice player in the position.
That lack of complete control over the role was one of the factors behind Real Madrid’s decision to enter the market for another left-back.
As a result, the arrival of Cucurella has now created direct competition.
The former Chelsea defender arrives with major experience and, more importantly, Mourinho’s full backing.
The Portuguese coach played a personal role in bringing Cucurella to the Santiago Bernabeu, calling the player directly to explain how he would fit into his plans.
That detail offers a clear indication of how highly Mourinho rates the new signing.
Cucurella’s status as a recent World Cup winner will also make him difficult to displace.
Once Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign, all signs currently point towards the 28-year-old being Mourinho’s preferred choice at left-back.
Still, the first indication of the competition came against Schalke, where Carreras started ahead of his new teammate.
The decision was largely understandable, though, with Cucurella having only recently returned to training and not yet fully integrated into the squad.
Mourinho promises Carreras a fair fight
Despite the growing competition, Carreras has received an important assurance from Mourinho.
The Real Madrid manager has promised the defender a fair battle with Cucurella for the starting position, giving Carreras every reason to believe that the hierarchy has not been permanently decided.
That is particularly significant for the Spanish defender, whose opportunities could easily have appeared limited following Cucurella’s arrival.
Carreras knows he now has to raise his level. He was unable to completely make the position his own last season, and Real Madrid’s decision to spend heavily on another left-back has increased the pressure.
But rather than looking for an exit or accepting a reduced role, the defender wants to remain and compete.
La Liga released the salary limits of all 20 clubs yesterday and, rather unsurprisingly, Real Madrid were once again the club with the highest limit.
Los Blancos saw their salary cap increase to €832.8 million, underlining the exceptionally strong financial position they continue to occupy.
Now, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, La Liga corporate director Javier Gomez explained the mechanism under which Madrid saw their salary limit increase.
La Liga explains Madrid’s increase
Gomez explained that the increase comes from a rule available to financially healthy clubs that meet the required economic ratios.
“It is normal. Under the regulations, certain clubs that meet specific ratios and have healthy accounts can use savings accumulated from previous years to increase their limit,” Gomez said.
That explanation is important because Madrid’s increased spending capacity is directly connected to the club’s financial position rather than an exceptional concession from La Liga.
“They can request an increase of up to 25% and they use it. One thing is requesting it and another is actually using it,” he added.
Madrid rewarded for healthy finances
For Real Madrid, the key phrase is “healthy accounts.”
La Liga’s system effectively allows qualifying clubs to make use of financial strength built up in previous seasons.
Madrid have therefore been able to convert accumulated savings into greater flexibility within their squad cost limit.
That does not mean the club must spend everything available to them. As Gomez stressed, being authorised to increase the limit and actually using that entire capacity are two different things.
It nevertheless leaves Madrid with considerable room when planning contracts, renewals and future transfer windows.
Financial strength gives Madrid options
Los Blancos made several marquee signings this summer who would definitely have arrived with significant contract demands.
More importantly, the club committed a lot of money to the renewal of Vinicius Jr. back in the summer.
Since the close of the transfer window, the club have turned their attention to renewing the contracts of their other superstars.
It has been revealed that Madrid have effectively agreed a contract renewal with shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.
Los Blancos are also accelerating talks to renew Jude Bellingham’s contract before English clubs enter the scene.
Madrid’s strong financial position is allowing them to position themselves aggressively when it comes to securing the future of the squad.
Having the option is valuable, and it remains to be seen how the club use it.
