Alvaro Arbeloa is the man who Real Madrid have turned to after dismissing Xabi Alonso and the Spanish coach takes the step up from Castilla. Arbeloa has been appointed as Los Blancos' caretaker manager until the end of the season although the club are expected to assess whether to keep him on beyond June.
The 42-year-old takes charge of his first game tonight when Madrid face Segunda Division outfit Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16. He is without several star men for the game including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
One of the biggest issues during Alonso's reign was his midfield and the feeling that he lacked a reliable anchor. There are claims that he pushed for the club to sign Martin Zubimendi before he joined Arsenal in the summer.
A new midfielder of this profile is expected to be signed this summer with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton on Madrid's shortlist. But, for now, Arbeloa might have found a solution and this could be put in place starting tonight.
Arbeloa might use a new Madrid midfield shield
Arbeloa had impressed since his appointment as Castilla's manager last summer, overseeing 12 wins in 23 games. There were several youngsters catching the eye at the club's youth level, including Jorge Cestero.
The 19-year-old spent most of Arbeloa's tenure as the anchor of the Castilla side, possessing a deep-lying playmaker profile that allowed him to control games. He is calm and composed and these are traits that this Madrid side could do with in the middle of the park.
Arbeloa has called up seven academy players for tonight's encounter with Albacete including Cestero. Aurelien Tchouameni hasn't made the squad for the trip to the Spanish minnows so it could be a perfect opportunity for the caretaker manager to showcase his Castilla starlet.
Los Blancos' new coach hyped up Cestero back in October with a huge nod of approval. He told reporters (via Madrid Xtra): "I have the best ‘6’ in Spain, Jorge Cestero.”
Cestero joined Madrid's youth academy from Zaragoza back in 2019 and he's since been a regular at youth level. He's appeared 16 times in Primera Federacion this season, scoring two goals.
Xabi Alonso was a fan
Cestero has already made his senior debut for Madrid when he came off the bench for four minutes in the 3-2 win over Talavera in the Copa del Rey round of 32. He might have only been handed limited time on the pitch but Alonso gave a glowing verdict.
Alonso suggested he was eyeing Cestero for a potential permanent run in the first team. He told reporters after that game (via Tribuna):
"Jorge is a player with immense potential that we have in Castilla. He’s improving well this year and he’s got some minutes under his belt. We know he’s not far off."
Other academy players who could feature against Albacete tonight include Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre, David Jimenez, Joan Martinez, Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios. They will be hopeful that Arbeloa's knowledge of working with them gives them opportunities to break into the senior squad on a regular basis.