ARBELOA & ALBIOL: the dynamic defensive duo!

Post game day and the squad gets to relax a bit and take it easy. Only one training session required, along with the daily press conference. The media was only allowed to watch training for 15 minutes. Mou continues to control the press as much as possible. The first fifteen minutes was predominantly stretching exercises.

As we waited for the press conference, news arrived that Sergio Ramos left training early as a precautionary measure for back spasms. Alvaro Arbeloa also confirmed this in the press conference, but added that it wasn't anything serious, in his opinion.

It was nice to see the BFFs in the backline together at the presser: Arvalo Arebeloa and Raul Albiol. The questions asked were a bit repetitive (Don't they think that the players talk to each other? Maybe the media think that they will get a different answer?) Well, they didn't ask about Kaka (who has dispelled all concerns with his performance at the Galaxy game.) They also didn't ask about Zizou. (thankfully)

But the Spanish press did ask a few silly questions. They asked what was their preference for a new striker (recall Mou said he needed one)? I really enjoyed Arbeloa's spunky attitude and honest retorts, especially if he thought the question was silly or inappropriate. Arbeloa boldly stated, "This is a something that you should ask the coach. If the coach thinks we need another player, then we will welcome him."

Albiol tried to address all the questions in a positive manner. Both players were asked if the team was complete? Arbeloa said, "I don't know." Arbeloa was also asked if this is best Real Madrid team ever? Arbeloa replied, "I haven't seen all the teams that have ever played for Real Madrid. But this is an improved team. We have two players per position and we really need that with a game every 4 days. We have a lot of games and tournaments and the fans and organization are very demanding to win. This is a very good team, one of the best."

Both players were asked about Rafael Varane, the new French player, how was he performing? How was he fitting in to the team? Both Albiol and Arbeloa stated that he has a lot of potential, but that it would take awhile for him to fit in with the language barrier and that he is very young. What they have seen so far, they have been impressed. They welcome him
to the team.

Raul Albiol was asked if he thought he would get more playing time this year and be in the starting 11? Raul answered, "This year will be much better. Last season I was injured and that affected my form and performances. I will do better now because I am fit and playing at good level. Pepe, Carvalho and Rafa Varane provide lots of competition which is good. I need to fight for my position to be a starter. I will do everything I can to play as much as possible. I need to be prepared because there are a lot of games." I really hope Albiol does get a chance to prove himself this year.

The translator was decent, even though he did call Alvaro, Raul. I really do admire when Arbeloa called out the reporters when they asked questions that the players really couldn't or shouldn't answer.

As always you can find more fotos on our Forza Futbol facebook page.



PHOTOS BY LEORA CONWAY (RMNYC) FOR EXPRESS USE OF FORZAFUTBOL.COM

The Ones That Got Away: Real Madrid Cantera

The transfer policy of Real Madrid is supposed to be a balance of Super Star imports, the best Spanish players that money can buy and the cantera. Well of late, the first two criteria have been very true, but the cantera or youth academy/development has been pretty poor. Well, poor for Real Madrid, that is. Most youth players have had very little chance of breaking the starting eleven as the team demanded instant results. The club required proven players and the jump for Segunda B to Primera was deemed to steep.

The most recent opportunity emerged when Castilla was promoted from Segunda B (the third division) and played in Segunda A (the second division in Spain). This opportunity to rejuvenate and repurpose the cantera, really came to nothing. Several players left Castilla after promotion because they saw the writing on the wall and wanted first team football. Only Miguel Torres (now at Getafe) broke through to the Real Madrid first team. Add to that, Real Madrid really didn't have the players in Real Madrid C to replenish Castilla, so they were relegated two years later, back to Segunda B. All in all, a very short term, short sighted approach to youth development and promotion.

That said, many Castilla and Real Madrid C players have moved on to play in other teams in La Liga and have flourished. One might say that the purpose of Real Madrid's cantera is to prepare players to play in the rest of the Spanish league. But is this really something Real Madrid should be proud of? Or is it merely a waste of resources and lack of vision?

Here is a list of some of the active ex Real Madrid canteranos, now plying their trade elsewhere:

Samuel Eto'o (Inter), Juan Mata (Valencia), Borja Valero (Villarreal), Luis Garcia (Espanyol), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia) , Dani Parejo (Getafe), Jose Callejón (Espanyol), Juanfran (Atlético Madrid), Javi Garcia (Benfica) to name a few.

What do these players have in common? Attacking players who were given very little chance to reach their potential and play for the club of their youth and dreams. Unfortunately, they were not deemed important enough by the President, directors and coaches, who were more worried about their positions and instant success.

With the departure of Guti and Raúl (who originally came from Atlético), Iker Casillas is the only home grown canterano playing in the first team. Iker was scouted, formed, developed, promoted to, and succeeded in the first team. I guess you should also include Alvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero. But they were initially sold by the club, and later bought back, once they proved their worth at Liverpool and Getafe, respectively.

Is this really a successful youth policy? Is this the price of success?

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.