The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid officially began following legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to manage the Brazil national team. As the Spanish coach embarks on a new chapter, he shared his vision for key stars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham during his Monday presentation.
Known for his tactical acumen during his successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso favors a disruptive 3-4-2-1 system, raising questions about how Real Madrid’s top players will adapt. When asked about his plans for Mbappe and Vinicius, Alonso said:
“It’s a blessing that we have players of that level. Not just Kylian or Vinicius, but many others as well. They are game-changing players who make a difference, and we have to get the best out of them. If they are at their maximum level, the team will be much more successful.
“I have ideas. There’s still time before we meet with them. But for me, communication about what we want is very important. These are high-level players, and that’s the task I’m responsible for,” the Spanish coach concluded his response.
One of the season’s key challenges has been Mbappe and Vinicius’ positioning, with both tending to drift wide rather than occupying central areas. While this issue was addressed midseason, concerns about their defensive contributions remained—a point former coach Ancelotti highlighted amid the team’s defensive inconsistencies.
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What about Jude Bellingham?
Bellingham has been one of the season’s biggest questions marks. Despite his versatility across midfield roles, frequent position changes led to inconsistent performances. Alonso was candid about the English midfielder’s role:
“Jude can be special anywhere. He was at Dortmund when I arrived and has made a breakthrough in the last two years to mark an era. He will be fundamental for the club’s upcoming projects. I clearly see him as a midfielder, and with all the potential he has, we will try to make him as efficient as possible. That’s one of the steps we need to take.”
Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid saw him deployed as an attacking midfielder or false 9, producing 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances. However, this season’s stats show 14 goals and 14 assists in 51 games. Alonso will look to maximize the Englishman’s strengths once again in a star-studded squad.
