Real Madrid’s Valverde experiments are over

Fede Valverde is returning to his natural place in the centre of the pitch. 

It is something he requested some time ago, or rather, he made his positional preferences public, but injuries and other circumstances have prevented him from playing there in recent months. Now the experiments are over. Against Valencia, the Uruguayan will move back to the role that best reflects his quality and footballing ability: the centre of midfield.

The return of several players will allow Álvaro Arbeloa to field a more logical and balanced starting eleven at Mestalla, one that better suits the characteristics of his squad. The main news is Valverde’s departure from right-back. His role in defence was not entirely new, as both Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso frequently used him there. Valverde accepted the responsibility, but it was never a position he fully enjoyed.

With Dani Carvajal available again and Trent Alexander-Arnold back in the squad, the coach has decided to reshape his starting eleven. Valverde is expected to line up in midfield alongside Camavinga and Tchouameni, forming what could become Real Madrid’s first-choice trio if injuries and suspensions allow.

Valverde’s return to midfield places him back where he feels most like himself as a footballer. He has never questioned his coaches’ decisions and, as he has consistently shown, his commitment is beyond doubt.

Camavinga will also return to his preferred position. His brief spell at left-back came as a result of several factors: Carreras’ poor performance against Benfica, Mendy’s ongoing injury problems, and the possibility of Fran García moving to the Premier League.

Alongside the Frenchman and the Uruguayan, Tchouameni will anchor Madrid’s midfield. Arbeloa’s plan is to move the former Monaco player away from central defence as well. The idea is simple: each player should occupy the position that earned them a place at Real Madrid. The remaining question is whether Güler will take Bellingham’s spot, while Vinicius’s place is expected to go to Rodrygo.