Newly appointed Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, potentially faces adjustments in light of Trent Alexander-Arnold's situation.
Veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso has been announced as the new manager of Real Madrid, inking a deal that will keep him at the Bernabeu until 2028. Alonso departs Bayer Leverkusen following a successful tenure that saw him lead the team to their first Bundesliga title and a second DFB Pokal in the 2023/24 season. As Alonso prepares to join his former team, a key focus will be integrating English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to arrive at Madrid after winning the Premier League with Liverpool.
Famed for his assist-making ability, Alexander-Arnold has often had his defensive capabilities questioned, much like Alonso's full-backs at Leverkusen. Under Alonso's guidance, wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong were crucial in Leverkusen's attack, playing a major role in the team's 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation.
talkSPORT's European expert, Andy Brassell, suggests that Alonso's arrival may lead to changes in Madrid's traditional back four. Brassell posits that the arrival of Alexander-Arnold, a vastly different player from Dani Carvajal, may prompt Alonso to move to a three-at-the-back formation. Should this shift occur, Grimaldo, who has been instrumental under Alonso at Leverkusen, is a potential target for reinforcement in Madrid.
However, significant changes must be made within Real Madrid's defense, as the team has struggled with injuries to Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, David Alaba, and others. With a lack of available center-backs, navigating such a tactical change could be a challenge for Alonso and the team.
The forthcoming season promises to be an intriguing one as Alonso seeks to rebuild and transform Real Madrid's squad, aiming to address their issues at center back and bring a fresh tactical approach to the Spanish capital.
The new manager of Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, is expected to integrate English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to join from Liverpool. Famed for his assist-making ability but sometimes questioned defensively, Alexander-Arnold's arrival may instigate changes in Madrid's traditional back four, potentially transitioning to a three-at-back formation. Alonso, who successfully managed this formation at Bayer Leverkusen with wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong, might consider Grimaldo as a potential reinforcement in Madrid. However, critical injuries to Rudiger, Militao, Alaba, and other center-backs in the current Real Madrid squad may pose a challenge in implementing such a tactical shift. The upcoming season could be an exciting one as Alonso strives to address these issues and transform Real Madrid's squad in the Spanish capital, drawing from the insights gained from his successful tenure in the German Bundesliga.
