Real Madrid midfielder faces tough battle for starting spot despite full recovery | OneFootball

Eduardo Camavinga’s situation at Real Madrid is becoming increasingly complex. After missing a significant portion of games due to injuries, the young French midfielder has returned to find his starting position occupied.

With competition from the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Franco Mastantuono, breaking into the starting XI is proving to be an impossible task.

Despite this, it is known that Xabi Alonso is keen to give Camavinga opportunities to showcase his potential.

Alonso believes that with time and smart use of minutes, the Frenchman could earn a more regular starting role.

However, at present, Camavinga is more likely to come off the bench rather than start matches, which can understandably be frustrating for any ambitious player.

Making the most of opportunities

The challenge for the young midfielder is compounded by his history of injuries.

Camavinga needs to step up. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

In the 2024/25 season, he was often sidelined during critical moments, limiting his chances to establish himself under both Carlo Ancelotti and now under Alonso.

Despite these setbacks, Camavinga remains a versatile option in midfield. While Tchouameni is considered his main competitor, the two players can also operate together in certain formations.

This allows Real Madrid to field a more physically dominant midfield while retaining Camavinga’s ball-winning abilities both on the ground and in the air.

Alonso could deploy a combination of Camavinga, Bellingham, and Guler to balance physicality and possession control.

The French midfielder’s role may initially be limited, but if he maximises his playing time and adapts to the team’s tactical demands, he could become a key contributor over the course of the season.

For now, Camavinga’s path to a starting spot is narrow but not impossible.