Xabi Alonso is about to begin a new era at Real Madrid with the first challenge of winning the Club World Cup. Although the Spanish coach advocates building a team rather than relying on individual players, he is clear about who he wants his men to be, his standard-bearers on the pitch. The names of the players who will support his project and who will be called upon to step up and carry the team on their shoulders.
Xabi’s clues in his presentation
Since his presentation, Xabi Alonso has made it clear that while he wants to talk to all his players individually and squeeze the most out of their individual potential in order to build a powerful team, he is convinced that he has a squad of top-quality players with whom he can put together a formidable team. The coach has placed great emphasis on the word “team” since his arrival.
“The challenge now is to build a team, bring out the potential of these players, and get everyone pulling in the same direction. Because if we do that, we will have a force that is very… I’m not going to say unstoppable… but very powerful,” he said. “I come here wanting to enjoy the same things we’ve enjoyed and I’m sure that’s going to be the case because the squad is top-notch. I’m going to try to build a team together, something we can be proud of and that generates excitement. I want people to get excited about the team and like what they see, and then we’ll celebrate and win titles.”
Beyond the team he talks so much about, he already dropped some names at his presentation that are set to be key to his project, such as Vinicius, Mbappé, and Bellingham. “We’re lucky to have players of that caliber. Not just Kylian or Vinicius. They make a difference, and we have to get everything out of them. If they give their all, the team will be much more successful. I have ideas, there’s still time to work on it, but I’ll use it to work on it. Communication and connection are important to know what we want. They are top-level players and that’s my job,” said Xabi about the attacking duo that Carlo Ancelotti failed to get the most out of.
He also made clear how important Bellingham will be to the team. “Jude can be special almost anywhere because he is special. The impact he has made is that of a player for the ages at Real Madrid. He will be fundamental to the club’s future projects and he is in a good place to work with him and make him fundamental. I see him as a midfielder and with the potential he has, I want him to be as efficient as possible. That will be one of the steps we will try to take with him.”
Xabi Alonso’s men
These three players will undoubtedly be key to Xabi Alonso’s plans. They are three important men within the squad and will be the cornerstones of much of his project. Vinicius and Mbappé must step up after a season of uncertainty and be the attacking reference points the team needs. They must connect with Bellingham, who needs to rediscover the form he showed in his first year in Madrid. Xabi has already made it clear that he will be an important player and that he sees him in midfield.
Other key names for Xabi Alonso will undoubtedly be the indomitable Courtois in goal, as well as new arrivals Dean Huijsen in the center of defense, around whom he will build a defense in which the presence of Alexander-Arnold will be key. He will compete with and complement captain Dani Carvajal, who will undoubtedly be the coach’s right-hand man on the pitch. Much is also expected of Arda Güler, who will have the coach’s confidence and will have to prove whether the problem was really Ancelotti or his performance.