Under pressure coach Alvaro Arbeloa doesn’t see Kylian Mbappe’s sensational criticism of him as a major issue.
‘I just met him and told him to stay calm,’ said the Real Madrid coach: ‘I understand that such things make headlines, but it’s much more normal than you think.’
The Spaniard downplayed the Frenchman’s statements, in which he had accused Arbeloa of seeing him as the fourth-choice striker. ‘I was a player myself once, I know what they can feel in such situations – playing every day and then less or not at all,’ Arbeloa said at the press conference before the struggling Royals’ league match against FC Sevilla on Sunday.
Arbeloa Shows Understanding for Mbappe’s Dissatisfaction
Spanish media interpreted Mbappe’s criticism as a kind of ‘declaration of war’. Arbeloa can understand the displeasure, ‘that Kylian was not happy about not playing on Thursday – and I like that. I wouldn’t understand it if he didn’t want to play. My relationship with him remains unchanged.’
Florentino Perez apparently doesn’t see it quite so calmly. According to Spanish media, the Royals’ president summoned Mbappe for a reprimand.
Arbeloa Would Be ‘Very Happy’ About Mourinho as Successor
After another title-less season, Arbeloa, who succeeded Xabi Alonso, is facing dismissal. The former full-back wishes for José Mourinho as his successor. ‘If he comes back next year, I would be very happy to see him back home,’ said Arbeloa.
‘For me as a former player and as a Madridista, José Mourinho is number one,’ said Arbeloa, who played under the Portuguese at Real. The current Benfica coach was responsible for the Spanish record champions between 2010 and 2013. In recent weeks, rumors have intensified that Mourinho could take over again for the coming season.