The new recruits have become 'untouchable' at Real Madrid

Following a powerful summer recruitment, two newcomers at Real Madrid rapidly established themselves as the new mainstays of the team at the Bernabeu stadium.

In the summer of 2025, Real Madrid shook the transfer market by spending over 170 million Euros to acquire four new players. Among them, Trent Alexander-Arnold was the most high-profile name and also the least costly deal due to his contract situation at Liverpool. However, ironically, the English defender is currently facing the most challenges due to injury and has yet to fully integrate with his new team.

In contrast, the other three—Alvaro Carreras (22), Dean Huijsen (20), and Franco Mastantuono (18)—are exceeding expectations from both the management and coaching staff. According to AS, they are not only regarded as “investments for the future” but have genuinely become “signings for the present”, making an immediate impression at the Bernabeu.

After just seven matches across all competitions, Carreras and Huijsen have become indispensable choices for coach Xabi Alonso. Carreras, a former La Fabrica player, joined for a controversial fee of 50 million Euros but quickly silenced doubts with impressive performances at left-back, even performing well as a center-back against Levante. He has only been rested for eight minutes since the season began, showing his crucial role in Alonso’s lineup.

Huijsen is also proving himself at the heart of the defense. His ball-playing ability, strength in duels, and aerial dominance make the young Dutch center-back a “rock” in front of Courtois’s goal. Except for a suspension against Espanyol, he has been considered an essential component of Real Madrid.

At 18 years old, Mastantuono has caught the attention of all La Liga thanks to his rare composure and maturity. His goal against Levante further solidified the young midfielder’s position in Xabi Alonso’s eyes. Although not yet a regular starter like Carreras or Huijsen, Mastantuono is steadily advancing to become a preferred option in midfield.

Looking at the form of these three newcomers, Real Madrid has good reasons to be satisfied. These young faces not only bring fresh energy to the team but also demonstrate the management’s strategic vision in rebuilding the squad. For Xabi Alonso, the “new era” at the Bernabeu seems to be starting on the right path, where new signings are not just potential substitutes but key players from the moment they arrive in Madrid.