A significant transition appears to be on the horizon at Real Madrid. The renowned Spanish club is reportedly preparing for a major managerial change, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to depart, potentially to take the helm of the Brazilian national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid player, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Ancelotti. Alonso recently confirmed his decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer, concluding a highly successful period that included securing Leverkusen`s historic first-ever Bundesliga title. While Real Madrid has not yet officially confirmed his appointment, it`s worth exploring how this potential change in leadership could impact the squad. Let`s examine which players stand to gain the most from Alonso`s likely arrival this summer.
Arda Guler
Xabi Alonso`s tenure at Bayer Leverkusen showcased his ability to significantly improve young players, a prime example being Florian Wirtz. Through tactical refinements, Wirtz dramatically increased his goal contributions over two seasons, establishing himself as a top European attacking talent. This track record brings hope for Arda Guler. Real Madrid acquired the promising Turkish midfielder in the summer of 2023. Despite scoring six goals in his initial season and ten so far in the 2024-25 campaign, Guler has found it challenging to secure a regular starting spot. Ancelotti has often indicated that Guler requires more time to integrate fully as a key player. However, with the potential arrival of Xabi Alonso, the moment seems opportune for Guler to make his breakthrough. Alonso`s skill in optimizing player roles could be precisely what Guler needs to evolve into a consistent starter for the Spanish giants. His inherent potential is clear; the key for Alonso will be identifying and utilizing his most effective position on the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Predicting the exact composition of the Real Madrid squad for the upcoming season is difficult, as substantial transfer activity is anticipated to align with Xabi Alonso`s strategic vision. Nevertheless, Alonso`s tactical approach at Leverkusen heavily emphasized the importance of dynamic full-backs. Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong were absolutely central to their remarkable 2023-24 season, which saw them lift the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal trophies and maintain an incredible 51-game unbeaten streak before their Europa League final defeat. Although no signings have been officially announced, reports strongly suggest Trent Alexander-Arnold is a primary target, particularly following confirmation of his departure from Liverpool this summer upon contract expiry. Alexander-Arnold offers valuable top-level experience and possesses the attributes to become a vital attacking outlet from the wide areas under Alonso. It`s likely he won`t be the only defensive addition in this critical position for the new manager.
Jude Bellingham
Beyond players seeking to establish themselves or potential new recruits, let`s consider a current star already excelling under the present management: Jude Bellingham. While the roles of attacking stalwarts like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. are expected to largely remain consistent, Jude Bellingham`s tactical deployment could see interesting variations under Xabi Alonso. Much like Wirtz was effectively used at Leverkusen, Bellingham possesses the versatility to operate from various positions, including a potentially more advanced attacking midfield role alongside his central midfield responsibilities. If there is one existing squad member poised to significantly benefit from this coaching transition, it is Bellingham, who has the potential to further enhance his already impressive goal-scoring record and overall influence on the team.
