Real Madrid is undergoing a change of era. The departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the arrival of Xabi Alonso on the bench brings with it a series of changes to the squad, system, and methodology that are expected to bear fruit in the coming weeks. The main short-term goal? To become the first champion in the history of the Club World Cup. And it won’t be easy.
“I feel like this is my moment, that everything fits together. That’s how they’ve made me feel. I feel like people want to believe, and that gives me a lot of energy. Then we have to prove it on the pitch,“ said the new coach in a statement of intent about what he has come to do at Real Madrid. He repeatedly referred to passion, ”enthusiasm and ambition“ as the pillars of a team that wants to ‘thrill’ the fans.
A team that Xabi Alonso knows inside out. ”I’ve analyzed how they’ve played and how the players are doing. But I’m using it for my own ideas, for the project we’re starting. At the end of the day, coaches depend on the players, and this squad has some really competitive players. 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’ll have a force that’s very… I’m not going to say unstoppable… but very powerful,” he explained.
The youth academy as a secret weapon
A strength that also comes from the youth academy. Unlike Carlo Ancelotti, who found it difficult to give opportunities to younger players, there are several signs that things will be different with Xabi Alonso. They will have to earn it, but the coach knows Real Madrid’s youth academy well, having started his coaching career there, and he also has a close relationship with Arbeloa, who will now coach Castilla.
Xabi Alonso has already taken the first steps in this direction and will be counting on several youth players for the Club World Cup. One of them will be striker Gonzalo García. The Spanish coach knows that Real Madrid lacks a reliable number 9 and will be testing the young youth player who has already reached his ceiling with the reserve team and whose future must be decided: a starring role or a sale.
Xabi Alonso will also have Jesús Fortea and Diego Aguado at his disposal. Both reinforcements would arrive to bolster a defense that, despite the signings made by the team, will still be weakened by injuries and with several players who are just recovering and will have to gradually get back into shape. Other names that the new coach likes to strengthen the team are Jacobo Ramón, Chema, and Víctor Muñoz.
Suitors for the youth team
Víctor Muñoz has been in the spotlight in recent hours after attracting the interest of a First Division team. The 21-year-old left winger, who has made his debut with the first team, has scored eleven goals this year and provided seven assists in the First Federation, which has attracted the interest of Deportivo Alavés de Coudet, who secured their place in the division in the final weeks of the competition.
He would not be the only one, as Youssef Enríquez Lekhedim (Madrid, October 7, 2005), better known as Yusi, is also on the radar of the Babazorro team to reinforce the left side of the defense. The youth player was also called up by Carlo Ancelotti in the final weeks of the competition due to the Italian’s need for reinforcements as the team was plagued by injuries.