Xabi Alonso’s best possible Real Madrid starting lineup for the FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso is set for his managerial debut at Real Madrid and the anticipation in the Spanish capital is at an all-time high.

After a season where Los Blancos were lacklustre with their brand of football and unconvincing for great parts of the campaign, there is a sense that the club legend could be the messiah the club needed desperately.

Alonso, after all, brings fresh ideas, renewed faith in youth, and a real chance of disrupting the hierarchy at the club that plagued on-field decision-making, especially under Ancelotti.

His first game in charge of Real Madrid, however, will not be a pre-season friendly but the team’s curtain-raiser in the FIFA Club World Cup against Al-Hilal. There is, thus, minimal time for him to organize his troops and identify his best possible lineup.

Who will Alonso prefer at the back?

Over the years, the Spanish tactician has been known to prefer and adopt a three-centre-back formation. At Real Madrid, however, he is willing to put his preferences on a back-foot and switch to a 4-3-3.

In goal, there will likely not be any surprises with Thibaut Courtois retaining his position as Real Madrid’s starting goalkeeper without much trouble. As one of the best in the business, there is no argument against the Belgian keeping his spot.

The question at centre-back, however, is a serious one for Alonso to ponder especially after the signing of Dean Huijsen.

Set to be a starter. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

The new signing, for his quality and the sum Real Madrid invested in him, is poised to become a starter, especially after the high level he showed for Spain in the recent international break.

Antonio Rudiger may well be the player’s partner in crime although it remains to be seen if the German international is fit enough to play immediately.

While he will likely serve as Huijsen’s regular partner for the season, Raul Asencio may partner up with the new signing for the Club World Cup given that the German is just recovering from surgery.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already begun generating seriously positive impressions in training and will thus start as the club’s regular right-back from day one.

With Alvaro Carreras still not signed and Ferland Mendy injured, Fran Garcia may well be the manager’s preferred defender on the left at least for the ongoing tournament, with minutes likely to be offered to youngsters Diego Aguado and Yusi.

Midfield and attack

The three-man midfield leaves the new coach in a serious dilemma, especially given the quality of talents Los Blancos have in the department.

All signs point to Aurelien Tchouameni serving as Real Madrid’s defensive midfielder under Alonso, thus taking charge of holding the fortress and building up from the deep. Unless a new player is signed in the department, the Frenchman’s role is relatively safe.

Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, is expected to play a deeper role in the midfield as opposed to his role under Ancelotti and will thus operate as a traditional central midfielder. Federico Valverde is expected to hold on to the third spot in midfield.

Bellingham to operate in a deeper role in midfield. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. are the two de-facto starters in the final third with all signs pointing to the Frenchman playing centrally and the Brazilian out wide on the left. The duo, needless to say, will have to work on their chemistry.

The third spot in attack, on the right wing, is highly debatable and the manager must choose from one of three possible options to play in the position.

Brahim Diaz, who offers the ability to drift in and track back effectively, is a prime option to start in the trident. Arda Guler, meanwhile, can also act as a trump card in the department, especially given the manager’s fondness for him.

But Alonso has also been working closely with Rodrygo in recent days, giving the Brazilian a good chance of starting. After all, he does offer a lot in defensive workrate.