Arbeloa faces selection dilemma with five Real Madrid stars fighting for one spot | OneFootball

Following their latest defeat to SL Benfica, it became evident that Real Madrid’s troubles are far from over, as the team continues to struggle in crunch games.

Against Benfica, the attack lacked any real creativity and once again appeared overly reliant on Kylian Mbappe.

A key part of the problem has been the lack of consistency in the right-wing position, which has seen a lot of competition this season with no takers.

Five players vying for one spot

As reported by AS, overbooking at right-wing has made it the most contested and volatile position in the squad, leaving new manager Alvaro Arbeloa with a wealth of options but no clear owner.

The season began with a simple premise under Xabi Alonso: Rodrygo would play on the left, leaving Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz to share minutes on the right. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

Mastantuono has failed to nail down a starting role in the team. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

The position is now unclaimed, with fierce competition involving not just the original duo but also a returning Rodrygo, academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia, and even Fede Valverde.

The lack of continuity is stark. No player has managed to start more than four consecutive matches in that role. Ironically, the outsider Valverde held the longest streak earlier in the campaign.

Mastantuono has been the most consistent option, recording 14 starts, yet he has failed to play half of the team’s 33 matches and has completed 90 minutes only once.

While he has started four of the five matches under Arbeloa due to Brahim’s AFCON absence, the position remains fluid.

Meanwhile, Rodrygo had a brief explosion of form – three goals and three assists in five starts- but hamstring discomfort and a goal drought since the Super Cup have hindered him.

Arbeloa has also experimented with Gonzalo on the wing, as the striker’s natural number nine position is blocked by Mbappe. But with the youngster not looking effective in the role, the situation remains open.