Real Madrid have announced their newest signing under Xabi Alonso, Benfica fullback, Alvaro Carreras from Benfica. The 22-year-old arrives with much anticipation from fans and is expected to have a major role in the new manager’s system when the new season rolls around in August.
However, Carreras is not a new name to Real Madrid. He spent three years as part of Real Madrid’s youth program from 2017-2020 before leaving for Manchester United. Since then he’s spent time at Man United, Preston North End, Granda, and Benfica.
The Spaniard’s return to Real Madrid signals the direction the club is going under the new Xabi Alonso regime, but also follows a pattern Real Madrid has when it comes to their young academy players.
The biggest mistake Real Madrid make with academy stars is clear after Carreras move
With the announcement of Alvaro Carreras returning to the club, this follows a common pattern with Real Madrid youth academy players. The club will sell them, only to buy them back again a few years later.
Oddly, this seems to be a strong pattern with fullbacks, with a few players the club sold and then bought back later are Dani Carvajal, Fran Garcia, Alvaro Carreras, and there have been rumors the club could look to bring back Miguel Gutierrez in the near future.
While this is a smart strategy by the club, as it allows the players to develop elsewhere at a young age, it also costs the club money as they typically re-sign them for much more than they sold them for.
Real Madrid are a club that are always looking forward and building for the future, while this strategy has benefited the club in the past, going forward, the club should look to keep their promising young players and trust them to develop at Real Madrid instead of sending them elsewhere.