Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender self-critical after ordinary debut season with club
Real Madrid shelled out a significant sum of €50 million to sign Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica last summer.
The former La Fabrica returned to the club after stints at Manchester United and Benfica, and soon became a permanent fixture in the team.
However, with time, Carreras’ performances declined, with the Spaniard losing his status as an undisputed starter in the latter stages of the season under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Carreras acknowledges subpar season
Now, according to AS, Carreras is fully aware that he did not perform at the expected level during the second half of the season, but the left-back remains convinced that he can win over the next Real Madrid manager.
The defender has not hidden from criticism and has openly acknowledged his drop in form. He knows that he did not reach the required standard during the latter part of the season and believes this was why Arbeloa eventually withdrew his trust in him.
The pair were also involved in some disagreements during the campaign, although those issues were later resolved.
Attention also turned to an argument with Antonio Rudiger in which the German slapped him. Carreras did not deny the incident but downplayed its significance, and within the club it is considered a matter that has already been settled.
Real Madrid believe in Carreras
Real Madrid, meanwhile, continue to believe strongly in Carreras. Club officials believe that during the first half of the season, with Xabi Alonso still in charge, he displayed a strong defensive level and also showed promising attacking qualities.
As such, inside the club, there are no doubts about the investment made in Carreras last year.
Real Madrid believe that the next manager, who barring a major surprise is expected to be Jose Mourinho, will be able to get the best out of the dressing room with a few adjustments in the transfer market.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
