Is Alvaro Arbeloa fit for a Newcastle stint?

Alvaro Arbeloa’s link has not gone away. But we should still be skeptical about his fitness for Newcastle in the Championship.

I have been writing about the Arbeloa rumors for some time now. And if you know me, I’m a major Real Madrid fan. Real Madrid has been a major part of my life when it comes to football, and it makes writing these articles that much easier for me, because I know Arbeloa very well as a Real Madrid player.

What I don’t know well is just how difficult the Championship is. You can say that the Premier League is the toughest football league in the world, and trust me, I agree with you. But going down into the depths of the Championship, that’s a whole new level of energy and determination. If you aren’t fit, you aren’t worth being placed on the first team.

The thing about Real Madrid is that they sign the biggest names and the best players. Often times, we forget where they go once their career at Madrid is over. Granted, we’ve seen Mesut Ozil have success at Arsenal, and Xabi Alonso have decent success at Bayern, but Arbeloa at Newcastle United?

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Here’s the thing. Arbeloa isn’t young anymore. He’ll be retiring in three to four years, if it even takes him that long. He had so much to offer Madrid, and now that time is up. He’s always played for successful clubs, and he’s always helped be a catalyst for that success. But is he up for the challenge that Championship football offers?

It’s a rigorous league, and the physical aspect of the league’s more than 40 games will take a toll. Combine that with a manager that’s not going to take any nonsense, and the players will be sweating even after the season is over. Is Arbeloa up for that?

Real Madrid is a club that plays hard every week, but he didn’t get much first team football last season. He’s pretty rested right now. Is he up for what will surely be a consistent starting position? One where he’ll be starting at minimum 30 games? Will he be able to keep up with a squad that is younger and more energetic?

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Don’t get me wrong. Arbeloa would be a great signing and a steal for Newcastle United. His leadership abilities alone make him a worthwhile signing. There are rumors that the defender is interested in a move to the club which would reunite him with Rafa Benitez with whom he worked with at Liverpool.