Well it wouldn't be a typical season at Real Madrid if the squad wasn't riddled with injuries, usually to key players in the squad, usually long-term injuries, which has a dramatic effect on how the season plays out. So far Real have already had players like Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal all be sidelined with long-term injuries, having a huge affect on the squad's level of play.
And for Los Blancos, it just keeps getting worse. Jude Bellingham went off injured just 10 minutes in Real's match against Rayo Vallecano with a hamstring injury that's expected to keep him out for a month and maybe even longer. Although he hasn't necessarily been at his best this season, Bellingham is still a key difference maker in the team and his absence will be greatly felt.
Alvaro Arbeloa is already under pressure after the recent poor performances by the team, and now he's under even more pressure to find the right substitute for the Englishman while he's out injured. There are a few options the coach has at his disposal, each with their own pros and cons, but which option would be the best? Let's take a look.
Arbeloa decides on Real Madrid's three Jude Bellingham replacements
As being reported by Marca (via the Madrid Zone on X) Alvaro Arbeloa has determined his three options to replace the injured Jude Bellingham in the midfield, with the options being:
• Brahim Diaz in his 23/24 role
• Eduardo Camavinga
• Fede Valverde (If Trent is fit)
We may have already seen the first option in effect in the match against Vallecano as Arbeloa brought on Brahim Diaz for the injured Bellingham and played the Moroccan as more of an attacking midfielder compared to his usual right-wing position. Carlo Ancelotti used Brahim in this position to much success during the 23/24 season but since then he's been used more as a right-winger, so now could be the time to use him as an attacking midfielder and get the best out of him once again.
The next two options kind of go together as the both would work similarly. With Bellingham injured Arda Guler and Tchouameni remain in the midfield and one of Camavinga or Valverde would fill in, with Guler then moving forward to fill the Bellingham role. Valverde will soon be able to go back into the midfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold nearing his return from injury.
One option not mentioned that is also on the table would be to use Ceballos in the midfielder as a deeper lying playmaker, with Guler pushing forward as a #10 and Tchouameni playing his typical defensive midfield role. Which option Arbeloa chooses remains unknown but with the current for of the squad, it could be the most crucial decision he makes during his tenure in charge of Real Madrid.