Real Madrid is poised for a significant managerial transition. The Spanish giants are expected to part ways with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is reportedly close to taking over the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their top target to replace him is former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso. Alonso recently confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer, concluding a remarkable period during which he guided the German club to their historic first Bundesliga title. While Real Madrid`s appointment is not yet official, we can anticipate how this potential change might impact various players. Let`s consider who could benefit the most from Alonso`s arrival.
Arda Guler
One key takeaway from Xabi Alonso`s tenure at Bayer Leverkusen is his success in enhancing the performance of young stars, notably Florian Wirtz, who developed into a top European attacker partly through tactical adjustments. This brings us to Arda Guler. Real Madrid signed the talented Turkish youngster in the summer of 2023. Despite scoring six goals in his debut season and ten so far in the 2024-25 campaign, he hasn`t secured a consistent starting spot. Ancelotti frequently mentioned Guler needed time to become a key player, and it seems he is now ready to truly make his mark at the club. Alonso arrives at Madrid at a crucial point in Guler`s development, potentially ready to elevate him into the starting lineup. Finding the right tactical fit will be essential, but Guler`s immense potential is undeniable.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
It`s difficult to predict the exact shape of the squad next season, as Real Madrid is expected to make several changes during the summer transfer window under Xabi Alonso. However, based on his work at Leverkusen, full-backs are integral to his tactical approach. Wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremy Frimpong were outstanding and crucial to Bayer`s success, especially during their phenomenal 2023-24 season where they won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, suffering their only defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta, ending a 51-game unbeaten streak. Although Real Madrid hasn`t confirmed any signings yet, Trent Alexander-Arnold is heavily linked, reportedly leaving Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract this summer. Alexander-Arnold`s experience could position him as a vital wide player for Alonso, though it`s likely he wouldn`t be the only acquisition in this key role for the new manager.
Jude Bellingham
We`ve discussed a player yet to establish himself and a potential new signing. Now, let`s focus on a star already excelling under the current management. While key attackers like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. are expected to continue in similar roles, Jude Bellingham`s tactical deployment might evolve. Under Xabi Alonso, Bellingham could be used in various midfield positions, potentially including a more advanced attacking midfield role, similar to how Wirtz operated at Leverkusen over the past two seasons. If there`s a current player poised to benefit tactically and potentially enhance his impressive statistics and overall influence on the team, it is Jude Bellingham.
Adrian Whitmore