Gonzalo seems to be one of Xabi Alonso‘s bets upon his arrival at Real Madrid. The youth player has been a starter in both Club World Cup matches, playing a decisive role in both. In the first match, he was named man of the match thanks to his goal, and in the second, he only played the first half, contributing to the first goal and assisting in the second. Real Madrid is looking for 9, but does it have what it needs at home?
Gonzalo convinces Xabi Alonso
Last season, under Ancelotti, Gonzalo gave a glimpse of what he could offer. Against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey, he scored the winning goal in extra time when it looked like the game was heading for penalties. Now, with Mbappé out, he stood out in the first game, which earned him a place in the starting line-up in the second game due to Xabi Alonso‘s change in system.
And this has happened because he has earned it: the goal in the first game, the move that led to the first goal in yesterday’s game, with a backheel that left the lane open for Fran García to assist Bellingham, and assisting Güler in the second goal. But beyond his involvement in the goals, which is no small feat, his effort and teamwork, his battles with defenders, his back-to-goal play and his ability to hold up the ball, as well as his solidarity with his teammates, have earned him a place in the first team this season.
Gonzalo has shone with Castilla
Gonzalo‘s season with Castilla has been outstanding. Alternating call-ups with the first team, far from distracting him, this has served as personal motivation for a player from the Fábrica who is beginning to excite Madrid fans who want to see home-grown talent emerge in the first team. With 25 goals and four assists, he has been the reference point for a team that started the season badly and has climbed up the table to find itself on the verge of fighting for promotion. This has earned him the trust of the new coach.
Is Gonzalo the number 9 Real Madrid needs?
Gonzalo is earning his stripes to be Real Madrid’s number 9, but he is not the player that the board and the coach had in mind, although he can perform the required duties. The profile was that of a pure number 9, a big, powerful player who is a nuisance for defenders, capable of playing inside the area and finishing crosses from the wings. The Real Madrid youth player is not bad in the air, he can also hold his own against defenders, but he is a player who likes to participate in the game, be part of the team’s build-up play, and is capable of getting into attacking areas with speed.
Despite not fitting the exact profile of the team, he does have characteristics that the team currently lacks. Although Real Madrid continues to search the market for the type of number 9 they are looking for, he could be a solution for specific moments, but he is not the game changer that is currently needed.
Despite this, Gonzalo is showing character and quality, and he is a player who, with care and intelligence, could continue to advance in the dream of every Real Madrid youth player: to succeed in the first team. It is to be expected that the return of Mbappé will see him back on the bench, but Xabi Alonso has taken a liking to the youth player, as he demonstrated in the last game, where he was ahead of Rodrygo, and he could play an important role next season.