The FIFA Club World Cup did not end with any favorable results for Real Madrid. They were fully focused on the competition, for which they even brought Trent Alexander-Arnold a month early and paid Liverpool for that, and they made an immediate managerial change that they could have easily deferred to the start of the new season.
But the loss at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain was an awful setback that had been ignored for far too long.
But despite the beating, Los Blancos left the USA with some positives. One was that Dean Huijsen was one of the most clinical defenders there. Another was that Gonzalo Garcia earned a first-team promotion, which he eventually received.
Another takeaway was the remarkable redemption of left back Fran Garcia, who became both a defensive and offensive standout for Xabi’s new team.
The reason it was such a surprising development is that Real Madrid did not even plan for him to be the first-choice left back at the Club World Cup. They wanted Alvaro Carreras, but Benfica’s tough negotiations delayed the signing.
Garcia, as a result, was given the opportunity and made the most of it. He played every minute of the six games Real Madrid participated in and finished with a goal and an assist.
More than the numbers, he performed as a complete left back, the total opposite of how he looked last season. Fans were shocked, and some even questioned the need to sign Carreras.
Real Madrid's Club World Cup hero must consider packing his bags
But things have not been the same for the Spaniard since. After the Club World Cup elimination, Real Madrid completed the signing of Alvaro Carreras, who has since become the first and only choice at left back.
Xabi Alonso has not looked back, and he frankly has no reason to. Carreras is outstanding and fits perfectly in the manager’s system. He's sidelined both Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy.
He is a reliable defender who completely neutralized any Lamine Yamal threat in the recent El Clasico, and he also contributes with goals, assists, and chance creation in the final third.
Since his arrival, Fran Garcia has been largely confined to the bench. So far this season, he has played only four games, averaging 53 minutes each. That is poor and a clear sign that he has fallen out of favor with the manager.
Xabi Alonso has made it clear that Garcia is no longer needed. He has Carreras for the balanced fullback role, and although Garcia has a somewhat similar profile, he is visibly riskier and makes more mistakes than his counterpart. That has undoubtedly stood out.
Unless Carreras suffers a major injury, I do not see any path to redemption for the sidelined Garcia. His time with Los Blancos is all but over.