When Carlo Ancelotti came to the Real Madrid bench, the idea of both the coach and the club was to rejuvenate the team. Both the staff in general and the eleven had to reduce their average age. And in this transformation, the homegrown players had to play a key role. Several of them had been important in the fight for the League and it was expected that they would have many minutes this season. Nothing is further from reality, the truth is that, although the circumstances have not accompanied, all the Castilla footballers who debuted last year under Zidane’s orders have disappeared in this one.
Marvin Park Y Sergio Arribas they were the first to have minutes with the first team. Both debuted against Real Sociedad on September 20, 2020. Both were present in the calls for Zizou throughout the season, and they had minutes to show off (Marvin 132 ‘and 157’). Its dynamics are completely different in this one. They have hardly been summoned and neither of them has made their debut under the orders of Carletto. In the case of the Mallorcan, the injuries are weighing on his evolution, while the Madrid, although it is difficult for him to find his best version, is being fundamental for Raúl, with whom he has played all the games in which he has been available. He adds five goals and three assists in 1,281 minutes in 1st RFEF.
The most unexpected cases are those of Miguel Gutiérrez and Antonio Blanco, who played 314 ‘and 218’ last year. The idea was that both were integrated into the dynamics of the first team. The winger had to compete for Marcelo as a substitute for Mendy and the midfielder aimed to replace Casemiro when the Brazilian asked for a break. The truth is that neither of them has played regularly with the elders. Miguel enjoyed playing minutes during the first months of the course (he has been 261 minutes), but he has not played since last September 28. In his case, a knee injury is weighing him down. With Blanco, the club had in mind in summer, if possible, to make him a first-team card. Although most of the meetings have been called, the captain of the subsidiary has only played 36 minutes spread over two games. Ancelotti has not given him a court since November 24 against the Sheriff.
The Copa del Rey was, on paper, the competition in which they should have the most opportunities. However, they have not even entered the list against Alcoyano. The coach has decided to take himself very seriously and, although he will give minutes to first team players, his idea is to play with the best possible team. In addition, an anti-COVID bubble has been created around the first team and they do not want to take risks with players who come up from the subsidiary and may be infected. Rafa Marín and Peter have been training with the first team for several days, so they have entered it.
There is a long season ahead and injuries, COVID or fatigue can allow them to enter the rotations. But, although they all dream of succeeding in Madrid, in some cases doubts about their future begin to emerge. The club must decide in these months if it has them for the first team or prefers that they continue training away from Valdebebas.