The Left-Back Mystery at Real Madrid… Three Players and an Unexpected Choice
The center, which previously suffered from overcrowding of names, has now turned into a big question mark. With both Carreras and Fran Garcia ready, Arbeloa chose to field Camavinga, a decision partially explained by the coach’s philosophy, which relies on full-backs whose roles often shift to midfielders. This makes a player with high technical quality and exceptional passing a suitable tactical choice.
However, the issue goes beyond the tactical aspect, as it clearly reflects a decline in confidence in the specialized names. This was particularly evident in the situation of Carreras, a player who was considered among the “untouchable regulars,” alongside Bellingham, Vinicius, and Mbappe. He participated in all the matches from the encounter with Albacete up to Rayo Vallecano, but suddenly found himself on the bench after the night in Lisbon against Benfica.
Carreras left the match affected, and his absence wasn’t just a fleeting decision, but rather an indication of losing some of his standing with the coaching staff, especially since his position was filled by a midfielder who was repurposed, in a decision that surprised everyone both inside and outside the team.
As for Fran García, his situation does not seem any better, as he has only participated in 80 minutes since Arbeloa took over, which is equivalent to 15% of the total minutes (540 minutes). Notably, 65 of those minutes came in the match against Albacete, and since then, he has only played for a quarter of an hour. Despite Carreras being suspended against Monaco and sitting on the bench in the last round, Fran did not get the chance to start.
Nevertheless, Fran Garcia is praised within Valdebebas, where he is seen as a professional and committed player, working quietly and considered a “club man” par excellence. However, his current situation remains painful from a human perspective, especially since he has only played 701 minutes this season.
In the background, everyone is anticipating the return of Ferland Mendy, who is nearing the completion of his rehabilitation program. He is expected to be included in the squad for the match against Valencia at Mestalla, although not as a starter, and will gradually re-enter competition. The medical and technical staff are being very cautious to avoid any setbacks. The indicators regarding his physical condition are very positive.
And the most astonishing scene remains: three left-backs ready, and the position is occupied by a player who does not prefer to play there, as the star Camavinga himself previously stated in 2023, saying: “Everyone knows that I don’t like playing as a left-back, but if I’m asked to do it, I will, even if I’m not completely comfortable.”
In conclusion, the left-back position remains an open puzzle and a topic likely to spark further debate in the coming weeks.
