Real Madrid’s signing of Brazilian right back Danilo for a fee reported as £23m was of little surprise to ardent football fans. Madrid were always ahead of Barcelona in the race to land the talented 23-year old, who has been touted to be Dani Alves’ replacement.
At international level, perhaps, but sadly for Barcelona, not at club level. The problem is not who the Porto defender has signed for; the real problem is how Madrid will accommodate Danilo in a team already boasting two right backs of undoubted quality.
The signing of Danilo casts doubts over the long term future of Dani Carvajal, who Los Blancos lured back to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer. But if Carvajal’s future is in doubt, then his Spain compatriot, Alvaro Arbeloa’s future is all but settled.
The hefty sum splashed to acquire his signature means that Danilo is all but guaranteed a starting place, at the expense of Carvajal who is Carlo Ancelotti’s current first choice at right back. It is then left for Ancelotti to decide who will be back-up to Danilo – Carvajal or Arbeloa. The most obvious choice would be Carvajal given his age plus the fact that he is home grown.
So Arbeloa may well be on his way out of the club he has served for many years. Perhaps the 29-year old knows this too. His comments earlier this week about former Real manager, Jose Mourinho, seems to serve as a reminder to the Chelsea manager how much he enjoyed his tenure.
Arbeloa said: “I do not agree with those who say he divided Madrid. I am a Mourinho fan. He knows what he wants and is always straight and honest. He does not have any fear.” Warm words indeed.
With Chelsea looking to strengthen their squad this summer, a move for Arbeloa to provide cover and competition for the excellent Branislav Ivanovic may be considered by the Special One. Arbeloa is also versatile enough to feature on the left side of defence, where Cesar Azpilicueta has kept out Filipe Luis all season. He will surely get more playing minutes on either side should he sign for the Blues.
Any potential deal is far from a reality, though. Mourinho is known to stick with his tried, tested, trusted and preferred squad. And with Filipe Luis warming the bench all season, he may be unwilling to splash on a transfer for the right back.
The truth, though, is that Chelsea needs to prepare to replace Ivanovic who is into his 30s and out of contract next year. Azpilicueta was signed for the right back position, but has since blossomed into one of the finest left backs in England. As Ivanovic ages, however, Azpilicueta may revert to the right while Luis assumes a place on the left, if he is not sold this summer, that is.
That done, should Chelsea sign Arbeloa, he may be the one to cover for both Azpilicueta and Luis, and he won’t come so expensive too. His experience and versatility will surely appeal to the Portuguese tactician and bargain deals like that are what Mourinho likes.
Mourinho knows Arbeloa, and the Spaniard knows his ‘idol’s’ methods so well. Will they be re-united soon?