Real Madrid committed to their biggest outlay on transfers since the global pandemic this past summer, spending €167.5m on four new players. The idea was to strengthen the backline, which became a point of weakness under Carlo Ancelotti last season, but generally give Xabi Alonso an injection of young talent.

So far all four have featured regularly for Alonso, but like the team, there have been mixed reviews on their star recruits. Even with the best scouting teams in the world, footballers are people, and signing them is something akin to the gamble you may find at the desi casino. Here’s how Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono are getting on two months into the new campaign.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The first to arrive and the cheapest, signing from Liverpool in time for the Club World Cup for €10m. There he was a regular, but after picking up a muscle injury, has been restricted to just 156 minutes this season. It is fair to say his start was gentle, not quite exhibiting the full array of his talents, but there were glimpses of his passing range against RCD Mallorca. He does face a battle for a starting spot with Dani Carvajal.

Dean Huijsen

The most expensive of their recruits, Huijsen set Los Blancos back €62.5m to bring him in from Bournemouth. At just 20 years of age, he impressed very early on with his confidence and his range of passing, a proactive defender capable of breaking the opposition press. However concerns have crept in about his defending in his own box. Huijsen had a difficult derby in their 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid, while one of them was perhaps harsh, has been sent off twice in his 14 appearances for last-man challenges that could have been smarter. All the same, he has won a starting spot immediately, which is impressive on its own.

Alvaro Carreras

A former academy talent, Real Madrid activated Alvaro Carreras’ €50m release clause to resolve their ongoing issues at left-back, with Ferland Mendy hampered by injury again, and Fran Garcia not trusted by the hierarchy at the club. Similarly to Huijsen, Carreras began impressing early on, and earning plenty of plaudits for both his defensive cover, and his intelligence going forward. Yet his performances suffered both in the derby defeat and since. Nevertheless, most will be happy with his contributions, and feeling much more confident defensively with him at left-back.

Franco Mastantuono

Although he arrived from River Plate for €45m with a big reputation, there was probably the least expectation on the 18-year-old. Yet Franco Mastantuono has also been competing for a starting spot. His aggressive pressing and ambition with the ball has won over the Santiago Bernabeu, and it is clear that beyond his quality, Xabi Alonso appreciates his attitude on the pitch. Mastantuono’s start to life in Madrid has been largely positive.