“I’m very proud of David, because of the opponent, the stage, how he played… He’s an example for the youth players.” Those were Álvaro Arbeloa’s words at the final whistle, summing up David Jiménez’s outstanding night at Mestalla. The Castilla right-back left the stadium having made a powerful statement, delivering a performance that fully justified the manager’s bold decision.

Jiménez was the big surprise in Real Madrid’s starting eleven against Valencia, but the gamble could not have paid off better. After starting in Copa del Rey matches against Talavera and Albacete, Arbeloa trusted the academy graduate in a top-level La Liga fixture. It was his first major test with the first team, and he passed it with flying colors. With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal on the bench, the 21-year-old claimed the starting right-back spot and impressed across the board.

Like many academy graduates, David Jiménez had long been identified as a player with first-team potential. However, his recent performances under Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa have firmly accelerated that process. So much so that the club now sees him as a serious option for next season’s squad. After an initial defensive overhaul last summer, Real Madrid are preparing a second phase of restructuring, with the right-back position high on the priority list.

At Valdebebas, it is widely assumed that Carvajal, whose contract expires in June, will not continue, leaving a significant vacancy. That is where Jiménez’s name enters the conversation, with the idea of him forming a right-back partnership with Trent next season, while Fede Valverde remains a reliable alternative. Under contract until 2027, the club plans to sit down with the young defender to map out a future that could include a permanent first-team role. If not, Real Madrid are determined to protect their investment by reinforcing the contract of a player showing enormous promise.

Last season, Jiménez was a regular starter under Raúl and one of Castilla’s standout performers, alongside Gonzalo and Víctor Muñoz, as well as Asencio, who made the jump to the first team in November 2024. Asencio’s progression serves as a clear reference point, and Arbeloa, who knows Jiménez inside out, has now given him the final push. In doing so, the club may have found a solution capable of filling Carvajal’s void while easing the financial burden of the summer rebuild.

Several clubs, including Valencia, showed interest in David Jiménez last summer after his impressive campaign with Castilla. However, both Arbeloa and the club dismissed any idea of a departure. The full-back was expected to be a key figure in the manager’s project with the reserve team. Instead, he has ended up becoming an important asset for the first team as well.

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