Real Madrid defender set to stay as Mourinho finalises his full-backs for next season | OneFootball

Alvaro Carreras is now expected to stay at Real Madrid, with Jose Mourinho deciding that the left-back position next season will be shared between Marc Cucurella and Carreras.

According to Jose Felix Diaz of AS, Carreras is 100 percent staying at Real Madrid, with the decision already made. Both Spaniards are set to compete for the starting spot.

For Madrid, this brings some much-needed clarity. Cucurella has arrived from Chelsea, and this has prompted a lot of discussion about the future of his younger counterpart.

Carreras gets his chance

The key detail here is that Carreras is not being kept as a mere squad option. Mourinho wants genuine competition, which means the left-back role is not being handed to Cucurella automatically.

That is good news for Carreras. He had a difficult first season, especially in the second half of the campaign under Alvaro Arbeloa, but there is no doubting the potential.

Carreras set to stay. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Now the message is stronger. Carreras has a pathway. He has to fight for it, but that is exactly how it should be at Real Madrid.

Signs of a top squad in the making

From a sporting point of view, the set-up makes sense. Cucurella brings experience, intensity and a more proven top-level profile.

Carreras brings youth, energy, height and a left-back skill set that Real Madrid clearly still value. At a club like Madrid, this kind of competition should be present for every position.

Mourinho benefits from having two different options. In some matches, he may want Cucurella’s aggression and reliability.

Cucurella will compete with Carreras. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

If Mourinho has settled on Cucurella and Carreras, the club can focus on trimming the squad and finding exits for Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia.

Carreras is still young and developing in his career. Learning from a senior counterpart like Cucurella will also help him mature as a player.

It is safe to say that Real Madrid have handled this situation to perfection. It would have made no sense to part ways with the 23-year-old just one season after signing him.

Now that the club have shown their backing, it is time for the Spaniard to step up and show that he has what it takes to play for a club like Los Blancos.