Real Madrid appears to be on the verge of a new era. The Spanish giants are reportedly preparing for a significant managerial change, with coach Carlo Ancelotti potentially leaving to manage the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid player, has emerged as the primary candidate to take over. Alonso recently confirmed his departure from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, concluding a successful period highlighted by their historic first-ever Bundesliga title. Although Real Madrid hasn`t officially confirmed Alonso`s appointment, speculation is high. This impending transition raises questions about which players might benefit most from a change in leadership. Let`s examine the individuals who could see significant positive impact from Xabi Alonso`s arrival this summer.
Arda Guler
Xabi Alonso`s time at Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated his ability to develop young talent, notably improving players like Florian Wirtz, who became a top European attacker partly through tactical adjustments. This brings us to Arda Guler. Real Madrid signed the promising young Turk in the summer of 2023. Despite scoring six goals in his initial season and ten in the current 2024-25 campaign, he hasn`t yet secured a consistent starting role. Carlo Ancelotti has often commented on Guler, suggesting he needed more time to fully integrate. However, with Guler now seemingly ready, Xabi Alonso`s arrival could be perfectly timed for him to step up and become a key player for Real Madrid. Alonso will need to determine the best tactical fit for Guler, but his significant potential is undeniable.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Predicting the exact shape of Real Madrid`s squad next season is premature, as the club is expected to make several changes this summer under a new manager. However, Xabi Alonso`s tactical approach at Leverkusen heavily relied on dynamic full-backs. Wing-backs like Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong were vital to Bayer`s system, particularly during their remarkable 2023-24 season where they achieved a historic treble domestically and reached the Europa League final, ending a 51-game unbeaten streak. While Real Madrid hasn`t confirmed summer signings, there`s speculation linking them with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has announced his departure from Liverpool when his contract expires this summer. Alexander-Arnold`s experience and attacking prowess could make him a crucial asset for Xabi Alonso in a wide role, though he likely wouldn`t be the only reinforcement in this key position.
Jude Bellingham
Having discussed a player yet to fully establish himself and another potential new signing, let`s now consider a star already excelling under the current regime. While forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. are likely to maintain their roles, Jude Bellingham`s tactical deployment could evolve under Xabi Alonso. Bellingham, versatile enough to play as a midfielder or potentially a more advanced attacking midfielder – a role similar to Florian Wirtz at Leverkusen – could significantly benefit from this managerial shift. This adaptability suggests Bellingham is perhaps the player best positioned to enhance his statistics and overall influence within the team under Alonso`s guidance.
