Alvaro Arbeloa has 'confronted' six Real Madrid stars amid brutal nickname reports

Alvaro Arbeloa has had several 'confrontations' with members of the Real Madrid squad in recent weeks amid speculation over his position as head coach, it has been reported.

Arbeloa has been in the eye of a storm at Real Madrid over the past days, having had to field questions about an altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni before Sunday's El Clasico clash against Barcelona.

Valverde was hospitalised after the altercation, which took place at Real's training ground on Thursday, after he slipped and hit his head on a table.

Real stated he had been diagnosed with a type of traumatic brain injury that requires between 10 to 14 days of rest. The injury was not caused by Tchouameni, and Valverde denied that either player had thrown any punches.

Aside from the Tchouameni and Valverde row, there has been a growing number of reports surrounding Kylian Mbappe's relationship with the head coach.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter told the Off The Ball podcast on Thursday that there has been 'some dissatisfaction' amongst some at Real Madrid, including the coach, surrounding Mbappe's 'work ethic'.

The club were said to be less than happy about the publicity generated around an approved break for Mbappe while he was injured with a hamstring problem last month, with the France striker travelling to Italy with his girlfriend.

Read more: Spanish football insider reveals real reason behind Kylian Mbappe row at Real Madrid

And Spanish radio station Radioestade Noche made the damning claim that Arbeloa is referred to as a 'cone' by some Real Madrid players while he is sat on the bench during matches.

Arbeloa's position has come under question in recent weeks (Image: Getty)

Arbeloa attempted to dampen claims that there is a level of entitlement among Real Madrid's stars, telling reporters on Sunday: "Of course it [the dressing room] is a healthy one. Of course, we have to do things better - change, reflect.

"But I see a healthy dressing room. I really mean it. One prepared to win again.

"Surely, next year, all, with much more experience... because this one is much younger than the one I was in seven years ago [as a player].

"But I am sure that everyone will grow and next year ... nothing in these four months makes me say that I am not happy and proud of this dressing room."

Arbeloa's encounters with Real Madrid stars

Now, Marca report that Arbeloa has had various face-to-face meetings and what it describes as 'confrontations' during recent weeks as Real head coach - appearing to suggest that the reports surrounding his nickname are not entirely accurate.

They claim that he had a 'disagreement' with midfielder Eduardo Camavinga surrounding the Frenchman's playing time, as well as a 'face-to-face encounter' with Alvaro Carreras.

He has also held meetings with David Alaba, who is also out of favour and is set to leave the club on a free transfer.

Dani Carvajal was said to have 'exploded' at the head coach after he left him out in favour of academy graduate David Jimenez for a La Liga match against Valencia.

Carvajal, who is now 33 and is out of contract this summer following his recovery from an ACL injury, has made only 20 appearances this season - most of them from the bench - and has fallen firmly behind Trent Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order.

Arbeloa reportedly has a difficult relationship with right-back Dani Carvajal (Image: Getty)

The Spanish coach dropped defender Raul Asencio after the centre-back reportedly told him that he was not fit enough to play on the day of the game, and is said to have only restored him to the team once he apologised to the squad for criticising Arbeloa's decision to put him on the bench against Manchester City.

The final case relates to Dani Ceballos, who hasn't played since April after recovering from injury and has not been involved in any of the last three squads.

It is reported that Arbeloa requested a face-to-face meeting with the former Arsenal midfielder, which is described as having been 'unpleasant'.

Ceballos is alleged to have said that he no longer expects to play for Real Madrid for the rest of the season. Arbeloa refused to elaborate on the matter when asked in a press conference.

Read more: Real Madrid player 'refusing to speak' to Alvaro Arbeloa and might never play for club again

"I don't get involved in public debates about the situations I have with my players," he said.

"The first thing I learned when I arrived 20 years ago is that what happens in the Real Madrid dressing room, stays in the Real Madrid dressing room."

That last sentence has not rung true in recent days at least.