Real Madrid News
Real Madrid manager taken aback by the impact of 26-year-old star: ‘He deserves to play more’
There are moments in a long season when squad players change the story, and that is exactly what Fran Garcia is doing right now at Real Madrid.
According to a report from Defensa Central, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has been genuinely impressed by the left-back’s recent performances.
It must be noted that for much of the season, Garcia found himself behind Alvaro Carreras in the pecking order.
Arbeloa’s trust in Carreras limited opportunities for the Spaniard, leaving Garcia on the fringes.
However, football often opens doors unexpectedly.
There is always a second chance
Carreras’ recent injury created an opening, and Garcia has taken it.
His performances have not only filled the gap but also raised questions about the hierarchy at left-back.
Arbeloa now sees him as a reliable option capable of contributing in important matches, rather than just a rotational player.
“He’s pleasantly surprised me. He deserves to play more,” Arbeloa reportedly told his coaching staff about the left-back
While not officially confirmed, there is a growing belief within the coaching setup that Garcia deserves more playing time.
Competition reshaping the left flank
What makes this situation more interesting is the timing.
With Carreras expected to return soon and Ferland Mendy also in contention when fit, Real Madrid suddenly have genuine competition in a position that once seemed settled That is exactly what the club wants.
At a club like Real Madrid, no role should be guaranteed, and internal competition is seen as essential to maintaining performance levels.
Without it, players risk becoming complacent, something the club actively tries to avoid.
In that sense, Garcia’s resurgence is not just about him. It is about pushing others, raising standards, and keeping the squad sharp during a demanding season.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder uses the international break as a ‘pre-season’ to regain fitness and rhythm
According to AS, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has fully capitalised on the extended international break to regain his fitness and rhythm.
The French midfielder has been using the past two weeks to have the ‘pre-season’ he did not get during the summer with an injury.
There is still a third week to come, the one that is beginning now, and it will be the week when he gets the green light to complete his conditioning. But the signs have been excellent. In short, everything is going according to plan.
Tchouameni played in the derby against Atletico Madrid without being at his physical and sporting best. He was fully recovered from his injury, but lacked match rhythm.
After staying in Madrid during the international break, he has worked hard on what was missing. Now he is ready.
A key player for Mourinho
Tchouameni is a key player for the coaching staff, the player who is expected to provide stability to the team. He is important in the build-up and, above all, provides defensive strength.
That is inevitably a concern: Real Madrid have conceded nine goals in eight matches. The problem became bigger in the last two games as the Merengues let in two against Elche and two in the derby.
Tchouameni played in both the matches, but it was clear that he was short of training and needed more minutes.
And, France manager Zinedine Zidane decided to not call him up so that he can work on those things while staying back in Madrid.
A lot of hard work
These have been weeks of a heavy physical workload for Tchouameni with very few days off. While many of his teammates have been able to enjoy some time away, he has understood that these three weeks are about making up for lost time.
It is the specific preparation he could not do in the summer because of the injury he carried from the World Cup.
Inside Valdebebas, the message is that he has spent “hours and hours” working – many in the gym, many out on the pitch, combining sessions with his team-mates with individual, personalised work.
The focus has been on getting his physical condition back to where it needs to be.
Centre-back crisis
In the short term, the situation is serious. Villarreal are next for Real Madrid, and everything suggests that Tchouameni will start, possibly at centre-back.
Eder Militao is already working on the pitch but will not return until at least November. Dean Huijsen is suspended after being sent off in the derby, while Raul Asencio has just undergone surgery and will be out for at least three months.
And, Ibrahima Konate is being handled with caution after returning from the France camp with an injury.
Given the situation, Mourinho will have to choose between Tchouameni and a youth-team player such as Oscar Naasei, Joan Martínez or Mario Rivas to partner Antonio Rudiger.
That decision will come later. For now, Tchouameni is about making the most of the present. by going to Valdebebas, pushing himself, recovering his fitness, his confidence and his rhythm.
