Arbeloa talks Valverde, Tchouameni, Mbappe, Mourinho, Carreras ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid take on arch-rivals FC Barcelona tomorrow at the Spotify Camp Nou in the second El Clasico of the La Liga season.

Leading up to the game, all the chatter surrounding Real Madrid has been about the dressing room turmoil, following the fight between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni in training earlier this week, which has left the former sidelined for 10-14 days.

As such, it was a major topic of discussion when manager Alvaro Arbeloa appeared in front of the media for his press conference today.

Providing a detailed explanation of everything that went down over the past few days, the former defender stated:

“I have two things to say. First, I’m very proud of the club’s decisiveness, speed, and transparency. And second, that the players have acknowledged their mistake, expressed their regret, and apologized. That’s enough for me.

“What I’m not going to do is publicly crucify them, because they don’t deserve it. Not after what they’ve shown me these past four months and years. They’ve shown they know what it means to be a Real Madrid player, and I won’t forget that.”

Providing the example of former Real Madrid player Juanito, he added: “I always give an example. For me, there’s a player who is the epitome of what a Real Madrid player should be, and that’s Juanito. And Juanito never made a mistake?

“And I think we’re all very proud of what he did in every match. He understood what Real Madrid is all about; he gave his all. How could I not make mistakes? But if there’s one thing we love him for, it’s because he made mistakes, just like anyone can.”

Further continuing, Arbeloa remarked: “Valverde and Tchouameni deserve for us to move on, to give them a chance to keep fighting for this club. I’m very proud of them. I won’t allow this to be used to question their professionalism.

“It’s a lie that they aren’t professional, that they’ve disrespected me… it’s absolutely false. Just as it’s a lie that some of them aren’t playing because of problems with me; they should go live their lives outside of Real Madrid.

Taking up responsibility for the disappointing season, Arbeloa further stated: “I’m the one ultimately responsible for the fact that the season probably… no, definitely, won’t be up to par. But I’ve been here four months and I’m very proud of my players.

“Of how they’ve welcomed me, of where we came from. And it’s clear that frustration and anger can lead you to situations you don’t want. But now, let’s focus on the game. That’s what we need to concentrate on now.”

Arbeloa defended Tchouameni and Valverde. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

On being asked if he felt responsible for the incident, he noted: “I am responsible for everything that happens at Real Madrid.”

When asked if what was reported in the media was overly exaggerated, Arbeloa noted: “I had a teammate who hit another with a golf club. For me, the most serious thing is that what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room.

“The incident was just bad luck. And it needs to be put to rest.”

On whether he thinks the Real Madrid players have more power than anyone else in the dressing room, Arbeloa elaborated:

“I’m not entirely sure what you’re referring to. I’ll say the same thing I said two minutes ago: when a Real Madrid player isn’t playing, it’s not for any off-field reasons.

“I shouldn’t be unhappy with the player who isn’t playing, but rather with the fact that I’m choosing someone who doesn’t deserve it. Many lies have been told about players having problems with me… and they’re absolutely false.”

Continuing, he added: “I tell people they can rest assured with this dressing room, with these decisions.

“Being here without winning isn’t easy, I know; we’ve been through very difficult times, like so many years without winning a European Cup – 12 years passed between the ninth and the tenth. We’ve weathered some rough patches.

Calling for unity amongst everyone associated with the club, Arbeloa said: “But we must do it together: fans, club… no one is better prepared to turn this situation around than our president. He has managed to bring Real Madrid back to where it belongs.

“And with all that, we must fight to bring Real Madrid back to where it belongs.”

On whether he could have stopped what went down between Tchouameni and Valverde, Arbeloa added:

“I don’t have my office inside the Real Madrid dressing room. I wish I could be responsible for everything that happens and control it all. If the consequence of this situation is that the coach should have stopped all this… I accept it.

“It’s not a pleasant situation, it should serve as an example for everyone, and that’s all there is to it. We have to turn the page, learn from it, and not forget that tomorrow there’s a Barcelona-Real Madrid match.”

Talking about what he thinks of this Real Madrid dressing room, Arbeloa explained: “Of course it’s a healthy dressing room. It’s not easy to go two seasons without a trophy, and as I always say, to be a Real Madrid player you have to be very ambitious.

“Of course, we have to do things better; change, reflect… but I see a healthy dressing room. One that’s ready to win again. I’m sure that next year, everyone will have much more experience…

“Because this is much younger than the one I was in seven years ago. I’m sure everyone will grow, and next year, knowing better what this badge means, nothing in these four months makes me say that I’m not happy and proud of this dressing room.”

Mbappe is expected to be ready for El Clasico. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Addressing Kylian Mbappe and his trip to Italy whether the forward should have asked for his permission before going, Arbeloa stated:

“A lot of questions… right? Look, anyone who wants to take a player smiling after training out of context, well, I’ll say it again… that’s taking things out of place. Just like what happened with Carreras at Espanyol’s stadium.

“I can only speak for him, for his work and the way he’s treating me. When he’s played, it’s because he’s earned it, and when he hasn’t, it’s because someone else has. Mbappé made a huge effort to play for Real Madrid, we all know that.

“He had to give up a lot to fulfill his dream, because we all saw him as a kid in a Real Madrid tracksuit. I feel I have my authority… perfectly.”

“Real Madrid players, like any other, have to feel that the coach has the authority, regardless of his name. You have to respect him. That’s the most important thing as a player.”

Lashing out at the leaks, he added: “I’ll say it again, because maybe I wasn’t very clear: leaking things that happened in the locker room seems like a betrayal of Real Madrid. Of this badge.”

Amid rumours of Jose Mourinho set to take over as manager in the near future, Arbeloa was asked if he saw the Portuguese as ‘one of us’, to which he replied: “Yes.”

On what he could have done to stop the dressing room fight, Arbeloa remarked: “The only thing that worries me and that I reflect on is how I could have helped my team win more games. There have been difficult moments these past few months. I know the situation we were in when I first arrived, and we won some very tough matches.

“We beat Manchester City, who had just won the FA Cup against Arsenal, and thrashed Chelsea 4-0… and we won both games. We beat Atlético Madrid. I certainly feel that against Bayern… there were things beyond your control.

“I often wonder what I could have done to help us win some league games, but that’s what I reflect on. How I could have helped them win more.”

Confirming that Tchouameni will be available tomorrow, he added: “Tomorrow, Tchouameni will be at the game.”

Amid question marks over the club captaincy and calls for changes to how captains are appointed through seniority, Arbeloa defended the current skippers, saying:

“I am very, very, very happy with the work of my four captains.”

Regarding tomorrow’s El Clasico, Arbeloa said: “I expect a great match against a great opponent. Someone who’s performing at a high level.

“And we’re really looking forward to playing the match that’s generating the most buzz in the world. We’re going there with ambition, to win.”

Source: AS