Álvaro Arbeloa: Seriously underrated

When the second Galactico era was embarked upon the world of superstars that arrived were some of the best in football. The best player in England, Italy and France all set sail for the Santiago Bernabeu. But who was the best value for money ?

In the summer of 2009 when Liverpool Football Club sold a number of players all the talk was how will they replace the experience at the back of Sami Hyypia and the midfield master that can land a pass on a piece of chewing gum Xabi Alonso. Would they miss a reliable full back ?

When Rafa Benitez is argued about amongst fans as to the success and failure of his transfer purchases one player is often overlooked in either list.

That man is Álvaro Arbeloa !

He's game often goes unnoticed as he doesn't possess the attacking dynamism of a Dani Alves or a Maicon. His modesty and the fact he is a very likeable person almost adds to the way he slides under the radar. Fans of clubs in which he has played for certainly appreciate what he does. He is the sort of player that even rival fans don't take a dislike too, most would just say he is alright. The ability to not cause offence even when wearing the colours of a hated enemy is rare and should be commended. He is in a sense the perfect squad player as you won't find him complaining that he isn't in the starting line up. He is happy and comfortable to speak to the media, he is honest and rarely has a bad word to say against anyone.

Having signed for Real as a teenager he left the club for Deportivo La Coruna in search of first team football. As he stated this was the only reason he left, it was inevitable that if he reached the desired level that his career would go full circle and he would one day return to Madrid. The fact that it happened so soon was the biggest surprise, he was only ever away for 3 years. He signed for Liverpool at the age of 24 but having only ever made 22 first team appearances. Such was the faith shown in him by Rafa Benitez that he made his full debut for the club in the Champions League at the Nou Camp against the reigning champions Barcelona. Not only this but he was deployed at left back to mark the rising star of the time Lionel Messi. This tactical move to counter the predominately left footed Messi against a right back helped nullify the effect of the little Argentinian and helped the reds to a 2-1 victory. He went on to help Liverpool to the final that season and to a second placed finish in the English Premiership in 2009.

Having only 12 months left on his contract he returned home in the summer of 2009 for the more than bargain fee of £5 million. A player that is versatile across the back, he has since played a number of games at left back. His hopes for the future are to win trophies at club level having been part of Spain's European Championship and World Cup winning squads. As it stands he isn't Jose's first choice at either full back position with Sergio Ramos and Marcelo currently favoured. However a recent injury to Ramos should give Arbeloa a number of opportunities, where he will be more than happy to step in. An unsung hero that will rarely have a nightmare, the consistency of the player could almost see his name changed to Arbeloa 7. Although not the most attacking at his time at Liverpool (possibly for tactical reasons) he has been seen ploughing forward a lot more in the famous white shirt. Step overs, tricks and more positive runs have crept into his game.

Having been such a late developer he has still managed to play for some of the top managers in world football. Joaquín Caparrós, Rafa Benitez, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho have certainly helped the defender improve his game to reach the potential that he possessed as a youngster. One thing all these managers will surely agree on is that for all the media and hype that surrounds some players, that Álvaro Arbeloa is seriously underrated.