Real Madrid News
Sergio Arribas talks Alonso, Zidane, Bellingham, Guler, Real Madrid: ‘I hope I can return one day’
Sergio Arribas was considered one of Real Madrid’s academy’s brightest prospects not too long ago, but was forced to leave the club as he saw simply no scope of breaking into the first team.
He left for Almeria in 2023 and has done well to establish himself as a mainstay. This season, however, he has been on a whole new level.
In just 18 starts in the second division, he already has ten goals and five assists to his name and averages a stunning 2.7 shots per game.
Arribas on Alonso and Real Madrid
The former academy star spoke about Real Madrid and his time at the club in an interview with AS recently, and he began by revealing that he does still follow the team’s games.
“Not as much as before with our games, but I do follow them. I think Xabi Alonso is doing things right. He is the coach that Madrid needs. Now he has caught a bad streak, but he has the team doing well in the Champions League and won El Clasico.”
“Barcelona have gone ahead, but we have to give him time to do his things,” he added.
Arribas’ coach at the Castilla team, Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez, is no longer associated with the club after being fired in the summer and the player admitted that what happened was unjust.
“I think so, he has not been valued enough. What he told us, and what he also told the press, was that his secondary objective was to go up to Segunda, and the main objective was to train players for the football elite.”
“And we have left a lot of those four or five years in Castilla, either in Primera or Segunda here in Spain, or outside Spain. He did an incredible job, demanding us as much as possible so that when we left we were prepared. It was a very good job,” he added.
The player then spoke about some of his peers who have made their debut for the first team this season and whether Real Madrid can indeed trust academy stars as they should.
“It makes me happy that the people below debut, it’s very difficult. Madrid’s demand is maximum. Being the best club in the world requires you to have the best players.”
“If you get the signing of Mbappe, or Bellingham, how are you not going to sign them? And climbing people from below is complicated,” he added.
Arribas then commented on Arda Guler and whether he sees the Turkish star to have what it takes to make it big under Alonso.
“He has to be that football player who has to move the ball. He is sometimes compared to Modric or Kroos, who marked an era not only in Madrid, but throughout the football scene.”
“But Xabi is trying to get Guler to play that role, to manage the team in difficult matches,” he added.
The academy graduate was then asked about how some first-team players specifically asked for him to train with the first team given his talent, and how it felt to be in such a situation at one point in time.
“But they didn’t tell me anything! With Zidane I practically trained every day with them and played with Castilla, I was alternating.”
“Of course, you’re happy to hear that they asked me. To think that the best players ask you to go up to train with them makes you smile,” he added.
Finally, Arribas was asked if he still dreamt of a move back home, to which he said,
“Yes, of course. I’ve always been from Madrid, and I’ve played practically all my life in Madrid. It is the team that has formed me and also the one that has given me practically everything. I hope I can return to Madrid one day.”
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
