Xabi Alonso has arrived at Real Madrid with a roadmap and several plans in mind for both the team and individual players. The coach is well aware of the challenge ahead of him in taking charge of a team that demands the utmost but has been performing poorly. All this with the added handicap that in less than 15 days the team must face a Club World Cup that it wants to win.
From the first minute of his presentation, Xabi Alonso made it clear that he wants a Real Madrid that ignites and excites the fans and that to do so he wants to enhance individual talents and build a powerful team that can trouble any opponent. “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,“ said the Tolosa-born coach. He reiterated this idea at a press conference. ”I’m going to try to get everyone to build a team, 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.”
In building this team, there will be players who are vitally important within the scheme, although no one will be indispensable or untouchable. There are several players on the team that Xabi Alonso wants to work with to get the most out of their potential, which has been subdued this season and well below their maximum, as is the case with Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Brahim.
Getting the best out of Vinicius
One of Xabi Alonso’s main tasks must be to get the best out of Vinicius. The player must be a difference maker and a reference point for the team, and this season he has been far from that. The quality is there, but it has not been exploited this season, where he has not been decisive in any of the important games the team has had to face in a season where even the fans and his teammates have had moments of confrontation with the Brazilian.
Beyond his statistics, which are a far cry from those that saw him in contention for the Ballon d’Or last season, his attitude and defensive work have been heavily criticized by teammates and fans alike. His clashes and provocations with rival fans have been a daily occurrence, as have the arguments with players such as Bellingham over his lack of defensive commitment, something that Xabi Alonso will emphasize greatly.
Returning to the numbers, Xabi Alonso will undoubtedly be looking for improvement. Vinicius ended the season with 21 goals, contributing 0.78 goals per game, including assists. Vini has lost more balls than in other seasons and has tried less in front of goal.
Rodrygo, reaction or Premier League
The season has been even worse for his compatriot Rodrygo, who has been unable to cope with the criticism and pressure. His numbers and performance in key games such as the Copa del Rey final have spoken for themselves, sparking comments that the Brazilian has been unable to manage, with his future now the subject of much speculation. The player has already expressed his desire to stay, but after more than a month without playing, he will have to prove it in his daily work and at the World Cup. The club is looking for a reaction or will open the door for him to leave for the Premier League, which is bidding for the player who could leave 90 million in the coffers of the white team if he is sold.
The plan with Brahim
As we said, Xabi Alonso and his analysts have done an exhaustive scouting job on Real Madrid, and the coach is clear that there is a Real Madrid player who has been underutilized and performing below his level. We are talking about Brahim, for whom the coach has big plans. The new Real Madrid coach believes he has great potential that he wants to exploit more than Ancelotti has done. The Basque believes the player can play in several positions, such as striker, attacking midfielder, or winger.