Real Madrid will not be able to count on Álvaro Carreras for the Club World Cup. After days and weeks in which everything pointed to the player joining the Whites, negotiations with Benfica have finally broken down. Now Xabi Alonso will have to decide what to do with the left back for the Club World Cup.
Negotiations with Carreras break down
Álvaro Carreras has already been registered by Benfica to play in the Club World Cup after Real Madrid and the Portuguese club failed to reach an agreement to complete the transfer.
Benfica refused to budge and would only accept the payment of the release clause to let the player leave. They would not even have accepted the split clause. If Real Madrid wanted the player, they had to pay the full amount up front, and that did not happen.
Problems for Xabi Alonso
It has not taken long for Real Madrid’s new coach to face his first major problem ahead of the Club World Cup. He will have to make do with what he has, and right now, the only thing he has is Fran García. Because Mendy does not seem to be in a position to make it to the World Cup, at least not for the first few games. His inactivity is lasting too long for him to be able to get into competitive rhythm.
This could give Fran García a last chance to prove himself as a Real Madrid player. His performance has been below expectations in his two seasons with Real Madrid, and he is looking for a new club, but he will still be able to enjoy some playing time in this position.
Unless Xabi Alonso comes up with something, but he doesn’t have Eduardo Camavinga, as Ancelotti did, to cover this position. He will be out until the start of next season. Another option being considered, although not with much confidence, is Alaba, who has not been able to complete his first training session of this new era because he has not yet recovered from his injury.
Another option being considered by Xabi Alonso is to try out Youssef Enríquez Lekhedim, a Spanish-Moroccan player from Castilla, one of the players who will be training with the first team (he did so today) ahead of the Club World Cup, and who has already attracted interest from some first and second division clubs.
The Moroccan international has scored one goal and provided four assists in the 35 games he has played for Real Madrid Castilla. He is a full-back with great pace and power who could be one of Xabi Alonso’s big surprises. In his previous spells at other clubs, Alonso has often opted for home-grown players, and he could give him a chance ahead of the Club World Cup. The young footballer will turn 20 in October.
Real Madrid fails in planning
Real Madrid had three urgent needs ahead of the Club World Cup, all three in defense, but they have only been able to fulfill two of the three commitments. Alexander-Arnold, a priori, is a guaranteed reinforcement, considered one of the best right-backs in the world. The second is Huijsen, a bet on the future who, game after game, looks like a better player, as he has shown in this latest international break with the national team. But the Whites are still missing a reliable left-back. They have no choice but to go into the Club World Cup with what they have, but there is no doubt that the Whites are obliged to strengthen this area of the field for next season.