Coach Arbeloa creates a 'blacklist' at Real Madrid: Will Vinicius and Valverde be purged?
Following the humiliating defeat in the Copa del Rey against Albacete, coach Álvaro Arbeloa reportedly requested the removal of three key players: Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, and Franco Mastantuono.
The shocking defeat at the Carlos Belmonte stadium against the weak Albacete not only eliminated Real Madrid early from the Copa del Rey, but also became the final straw in a deep internal crisis. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who had just been confirmed to lead the team until the end of the season, immediately took drastic measures to rebuild the squad, which was demoralized both in terms of performance and spirit.
The purge following the Copa del Rey disaster
According to leaked information from the Santiago Bernabéu dressing room, Arbeloa has submitted a list of players who are no longer part of his long-term plans to the club's management. The Spanish coach believes that the successful cycle of some key players has come to an end and the team needs a real shock to wake them up.
Notably, this list names three stars with very high market value: Vinícius Jr, Federico Valverde, and the young talent Franco Mastantuono. This is a shocking decision for the club's hierarchy, but it accurately reflects the lackluster performance the Royal team has shown in Mancha.
The fall of icons: Vinicius and Valverde
Vinícius Jr, once considered an irreplaceable icon, is currently going through his worst period since joining Real Madrid. The Brazilian star has not only lost his killer instinct but is also being criticized for his lack of a positive attitude. Arbeloa believes that selling Vinícius now would not only free up a huge wage bill but also allow for the development of a more collective playing style.
Furthermore, the case of Federico Valverde is also regrettable. Once the perpetual engine of the midfield, the Uruguayan midfielder seems to have run out of energy. Arbeloa believes Valverde no longer maintains the influence of a leader. With interest from Premier League teams, Real Madrid could recoup a significant sum from this transfer to invest in more creative and dynamic midfielders.
A big question mark hangs over Franco Mastantuono's future.
The biggest surprise was Franco Mastantuono. Despite arriving at Bernabéu with high expectations, the young Arbeloa deemed the Argentine talent not yet good enough to meet Real Madrid's demanding standards at the moment. His limitations in first touch and decision-making in big matches meant he no longer received the patience of his new coaching staff.
President Florentino Pérez is currently facing a difficult economic and professional dilemma. Selling off major assets like Vinicius or Valverde is a risky gamble, but the humiliation against Albacete forces the club to make pivotal decisions. A completely new sporting project is taking shape, where current strength will be the sole factor determining team placement, rather than past reputation or potential.
Notably, after parting ways with Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid is also considering inviting Lionel Scaloni – who recently led Argentina to success – to lead their long-term rebuilding plan starting next season.
