Alvaro Arbeloa is confident Kylian Mbappe is giving 100% for Real Madrid, but also offered a little warning to the French superstar.
Mbappe has faced fierce criticism in recent weeks, most notably for his decision to go on holiday with his girlfriend rather than stay in the Spanish capital and continue his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained against Real Betis on April 24.
The former PSG striker missed the game at Espanyol on May 3 and last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Barcelona, a result that enabled Madrid’s arch rivals to clinch the Liga title.
Over 73 million Madrid fans have signed a petition demanding Mbappe be sold after questioning his commitment to the club, particularly with a World Cup looming, but Arbeloa is adamant the 27-year-old is giving 100%.
“Of course, I couldn’t think differently,” he said, but the Madrid head coach was quick to highlight the significance of playing for a club like Real Madrid.
“This club is good for all of us,” he said. “We know what it’s like to be outside Madrid, my players should be aware of this. They will be remembered all their lives for having played in Madrid. Madrid marks you a lot, gives you a lot of things. Madrid does more for us than anyone can do for the club.”
Real Madrid hopeful Mbappe will return against Oviedo
Madrid play host to already relegated Oviedo tomorrow night in what is expected to be a hostile atmosphere given the club’s trophyless season and the infighting in both the dressing room and the boardroom, the latter issue highlighted in a bizarre press conference given by president Florentino Perez yesterday evening.
Arbeloa wouldn’t commit to Mbappe returning for the midweek clash, adding: “Let’s see if he can finish the training session today. He did yesterday. If he can complete it, he will surely have minutes to demonstrate his commitment to the club.”
Arbeloa is likely to leave Madrid at the end of the season with Jose Mourinho poised to return for a second spell.
Asked about the Portuguese, Arbeloa replied: “I understand the questions, but respect my decision to think about the game. Once the league is over I will be able to answer them. Now it’s time to think about Oviedo.”
Arbeloa defends approach of protecting Real Madrid players
He also admitted he understood the doubts around his own future but insisted he had not lost control over a dressing room seemingly beset by problematic relationships.
There have been stories about Antonio Rudiger falling out with Alvaro Carreras while, last week, Federico Valverde was hospitalised after a fracas with fellow midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Asked why he has not criticised the players in public, Arbeloa said: “I understand the criticism for the decisions I make. Sometimes I say what I think and other times I say what I should. But that’s how I relate to the players, that’s how I’ve done it in the reserve team too. A coach must be a shield for his players.
“When I’m with them I say things that I wouldn’t say here. Always with respect. I have been demanding, I have challenged them, I have given them my vision of what to improve, what we did well, what we did wrong. I wouldn’t change how I’ve defended my players here.”
Long-serving full-back Dani Carvajal may also return tomorrow having been left out of Spain’s preliminary World Cup squad.
“I haven’t talked to him about the pre-list, but it’s a shame, I would always have him on my team,” said Arbeloa.” You have to respect the opinion of other coaches, but it’s a shame that he doesn’t defend the National Team. Yesterday he rejoined the group, and I understand that he may be available [for the Oviedo game].”
