Arbeloa calls up five Real Madrid youth players in first training session

Having taken over as the manager of the Real Madrid first team, Alvaro Arbeloa conducted his first training session with the senior setup today.

The former right-back, who was the head coach of Castilla this season, was handed the job after Real Madrid decided to dismiss Xabi Alonso as the first-team head coach on Monday.

Arbeloa will begin his journey with the first team tomorrow when he leads them in a Copa del Rey tie against Albacete.

Five youngsters called up

With preparations getting underway today, Arbeloa decided to call up as many as five youth players to train with the Real Madrid first-team squad, reports MARCA.

Indeed, Manuel Angel, Jorge Cestero, David Jimenez, Joan Martinez and Cesar Palacios all worked with the senior team today and at least a few could be called up for the trip to Albacete on Wednesday.

David Jimenez and Jorge Cestero trained with the first team. (Picture credit: Real Madrid Official Website)

Someone who has been coaching in the Real Madrid academy since 2020, Arbeloa has a deep knowledge of the talent coming through the ranks at La Fabrica.

The former Spanish international has tasted success in the past across various youth levels as coach in the Real Madrid academy and was doing a solid job at Castilla this season.

So, it does not come as a surprise to see some of the youngsters, who have already had some exposure with the senior setup under Alonso, get called up again by Arbeloa.

Moreover, there may be some notable absences from the squad for the cup tie, and as such, there is a possibility at that some, if not all, of the five youth players get called up for the game tomorrow.