Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid rebuild: Rodrygo out, Trent in – What's the ideal XI at the Bernabéu?
With Carlo Ancelotti reportedly heading for the Brazil job, the summer promises transformation at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the wings waits Xabi Alonso – one of the most talked-about young managers in Europe, fresh off a title-winning campaign with Bayer Leverkusen. But what awaits him at Real Madrid is not a fairytale return – it’s a tactical minefield.
'Xabi Alonso.'
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Los Blancos may have landed Kylian Mbappé last summer, but the squad still feels imbalanced, and a trophyless 2024-25 looms. Alonso, should he take the reins, must immediately navigate a squad that is simultaneously overloaded with world-class talent and rife with structural holes.
Here’s what the new Real Madrid might look like under Alonso, based on expected moves – Rodrygo's potential departure and Trent Alexander-Arnold's free transfer arrival – and the systems that could redefine the Spanish giants.
The Key Assumptions
Before formations, some groundwork:
Trent Alexander-Arnold is arriving and likely won’t displace Carvajal at right-back. A midfield role beckons.
Rodrygo Goes – literally. The Brazilian’s departure would open up tactical clarity, particularly on the right.
A Fit Squad – for once. Alonso can only succeed if the club's injury plague eases, especially in defence.
Tactical Blueprint 1: The Hybrid 4-4-2
This gets both Trent and Carvajal into the XI. Bellingham plays left-midfield on paper, but in practice, floats inside. Vinicius and Mbappé spearhead the attack.
XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Trent, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappé
• Pros: Compact defensively, accommodates stars
• Cons: Limits Bellingham’s freedom, midfield lacks flair
Tactical Blueprint 2: The Leverkusen 3-4-2-1
Alonso’s pet project. Trent thrives wide right, Bellingham roams behind Mbappé. Requires full health and elite fitness.
XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger; Trent, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Vinicius, Bellingham; Mbappé
• Pros: High-pressing, modern, dynamic
• Cons: Depth issues, positional mismatches
Tactical Blueprint 3: The Tika-Taka Revival 4-3-3
An ode to passing purity. Trent pulls strings centrally, Endrick gets minutes, and the wide men have space to run riot.
XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Trent, Bellingham; Endrick, Mbappé, Vinicius
• Pros: Total control, high technical ceiling
• Cons: Defensive liability, lack of midfield protection
Tactical Blueprint 4: The Modern 4-2-3-1
Trent partners Camavinga deep. Bellingham returns to No.10. Mbappé stays central, Vinicius wide. Compact but creative.
XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Trent, Camavinga; Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé
• Pros: Balanced across lines, flexible
• Cons: Weakness on left if Vinicius doesn’t track back
Tactical Blueprint 5: The Nagelsmann-Inspired 4-2-2-2
The most coherent – if unorthodox. Box midfield with Trent-Camavinga deep and Bellingham-Valverde pushing forward. Mbappé and Vinicius become dual strikers.
XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Trent, Camavinga; Valverde, Bellingham; Mbappé, Vinicius
• Pros: Gets best from all stars, offers control
• Cons: Demands tactical sacrifice, high discipline
Verdict: A Genius Can Only Do So Much
Each system exposes Real Madrid's fundamental flaw: a superstar-laden squad with no natural right winger, limited defensive cover, and overlapping profiles (Vinicius and Mbappé both crave the left). Rodrygo’s departure might streamline options, but without surgical squad balancing, even Xabi Alonso’s tactical IQ may be stretched thin.
The 4-2-2-2 seems the most viable starting point – but only if ego is substituted for synergy. For Alonso, managing Real Madrid won’t just be about formations. It’ll be about forging harmony in chaos.
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