Alvaro Arbeloa has launched a staunch defense of Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde. Three of the quartet have been called out in recent weeks with some suggesting they were to blame for Xabi Alonso's dismissal earlier this month.
Madridistas made their feelings clear when Madrid beat Levante 2-0 two weeks ago as Vinicius, Bellingham and Valverde were whistled at the Estadio Bernabeu. They seemed to have got fans back onside when they starred in a 6-1 thrashing of AS Monaco.
But a 4-2 defeat to Benfica midweek has infuriated the Bernabeu faithful and the trio find themselves back in the firing line. They are expected to receive similar treament from supporters when Los Blancos face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga tomorrow.
Arbeloa defends Vinicius, Bellingham, Mbappe and Valverde
There have been suggestions that Vinicius, Bellingham and Valverde are overprotected and that they are untouchable when it comes to their place in Arbeloa's team. That wasn't the case under Alonso who irritated Vinicius when he opted to bring him off on several occasions during his short-lived reign.
Arbeloa has hit out at those taking aim at the Madrid trio and claimed such claims over the three superstars are from those who don't like the club. He said ahead of the Rayo Vallecano clash (via Madrid Zone):
"Vini, Jude, Mbappe, Fede untouchables? The people who want those players off the pitch are NOT Madridistas, they don't like Madrid."
The mood at the Bernabeu isn't a good one and Arbeloa's appointment hasn't fixed glaring issues in the dressing room. The noise coming out of the club is that he isn't viewed as a long-term appointment which means players are playing under a coach that probably won't be in charge come next season.
What's going on with the Madrid stars?
Mbappe hasn't warranted much crititicm this season given he has been in red-hot form. He reached 13 goals in the Champions League's league phase with a brace against Benfica but this didn't prevent his side from collapsing out of the top eight.
Vinicius has been the main target of Madrid fans' frustrations over a difficult season in which their club lost to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Segunda Division minnows Albacete.
The Brazilian winger put contract talks on hold due to a frosty relationship with Alonso but appears keen to remain at the Bernabeu following the manager's dismissal.
Bellingham has started to feel the heat in recent weeks and reports claim the club would consider his sale if his performances don't improve. There are claims that Thibaut Courtois has called out the player's attitude and asked Arbeloa to consider dropping him, per El Nacional.
Valverde has been a leader throughout his time at the Bernabeu but the Uruguayan hasn't been at his best this season. Reports claim that he was unhappy playing at right-back under Alonso.