Real Madrid squad still view Alvaro Arbeloa as interim, selection calls questioned | OneFootball

Cadena SER reports that parts of the Real Madrid dressing room still view Alvaro Arbeloa as an interim figure, with recent selections and tactics questioned.

His tenure opened with a Copa del Rey exit to Albacete, then a slide out of the Champions League’s top eight. In La Liga he has trimmed Barcelona’s lead to one point.

The mood around the squad is said to have improved and tensions from Xabi Alonso’s spell have eased. The club are thought to believe the change was worthwhile. Arbeloa has worked to be close to players, which some feel is excessive.

During the 4-2 defeat to Benfica, some were surprised Dani Ceballos stayed on the bench while Castilla youngster Jorge Cestero came on late. Players made their views clear. Ceballos then appeared at half-time against Rayo Vallecano, possibly to calm discontent.

No radical tactical shifts have been installed and the squad expect more. After the 2-1 win at Rayo on Sunday, Arbeloa delayed his press conference following a long, tense exchange over substitutions and strategy.

The feeling remains that they are being coached by the Castilla manager rather than a long-term solution. Arbeloa is seen as a stopgap who could depart in the summer.

With Antonio Pintus back, two midweeks without fixtures offer the best window to embed changes. Without notable improvement, Arbeloa’s position will only weaken as the weeks pass.

Source: Football Espana