Real Madrid: Mbappé Among 11 Missing from Arbeloa’s First Squad List
Álvaro Arbeloa is set to make his debut as the head coach of Real Madrid, bringing a fresh approach to the team. His inaugural squad list notably includes seven players from the Castilla youth team but misses several key stars.
Mbappé Among Major Absences in Arbeloa’s First Squad List
In his first selection for the Copa del Rey match against Albacete, Arbeloa will have to navigate a total of eleven absences. Notable players missing from the roster include:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Jude Bellingham
- Rodrygo Goes
- Álvaro Carreras
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Thibaut Courtois
These absences stem from various injuries and commitments, including participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Injury and Selection Updates
Among the players ruled out due to injuries are Éder Militao, Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy. Brahim Díaz is currently unavailable, playing for Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Furthermore, both Mbappé and Rodrygo have joined the injury list with physical issues, prompting Arbeloa to rest several other prominent players, including Courtois and Tchouaméni.
Emphasis on Youth and Canteranos
Arbeloa, who was appointed after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, is committed to nurturing young talent from the academy. He expressed his belief in the strength of Madrid’s youth development during a press conference, underscoring his strategy to involve players from the Castilla team.
The young players included in his first match squad are:
- Manuel Ángel
- César Palacios
- Joan Martínez
- David Jiménez
- Jorge Cestero
- Sergio Mestre (goalkeeper)
- Fran González (goalkeeper)
The absence of Thiago Pitarch, an important player during Arbeloa’s tenure at the academy, has caught some by surprise. Nonetheless, the promotion of Ángel and Palacios has drawn positive attention among fans and analysts alike.
The Upcoming Challenge
Arbeloa will lead Real Madrid against Albacete, who currently sit 17th in the Segunda División. The Copa del Rey match is a one-off elimination fixture, making it a critical test for the new coach. Albacete has progressed to this stage by defeating Celta, Leganés, and UD San Fernando in earlier rounds.
As Real Madrid faces this challenge, the focus will be on how Arbeloa’s strategic choices and faith in youth players will manifest on the field.
