Arbeloa’s decision to rely on Real Madrid academy talents upset dressing-room dynamic – report | OneFootball

After a season that is set to end without silverware, frustration within Real Madrid has begun to surface more openly. 

Performances, particularly in the second half of the campaign, have failed to convince, and internally, there is a growing sense that things have not gone according to plan.

Now, according to The Athletic, from the outset, there were already doubts in certain sections of the hierarchy about Arbeloa’s readiness to take on such a demanding role. 

Figures close to the decision-making process, including president Florentino Perez, were reportedly cautious when the appointment was made.

Now, those concerns appear to be resurfacing.

What’s the story?

One of the key points of tension revolves around Arbeloa’s squad management decisions, particularly his willingness to involve academy players. 

While promoting youth is often viewed as a long-term positive, the timing and execution of these decisions have reportedly created friction within the dressing room.

Arbeloa’s relationship is not entirely good with the Real Madrid players. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Sources suggest that these call-ups have not been universally welcomed, with some players feeling that the balance within the squad has been disrupted.

Furthermore, it must be noted that Arbeloa’s relationship with certain senior figures has also come under strain. 

Players such as Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos are among those not fully aligned with the manager, which shows a deeper issue within the squad dynamic.

At the same time, support for Arbeloa is not entirely absent, as high-profile names like Vinicius Jr. have publicly backed the coach. However, this split appears to follow certain lines.

As per the outlet, there is said to be a major disconnect between Arbeloa and a core group of Spanish players at the club, with some feeling that they have not been treated on equal terms compared to others within the squad. 

That perception, whether accurate or not, has contributed to a sense of imbalance that can be difficult to resolve at this point.