Real Madrid appears to be on the cusp of a new era. The Spanish giants are reportedly planning a significant managerial change, with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti expected to depart to lead the Brazilian national team towards the 2026 World Cup. Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid player, has emerged as the top candidate to take over. Alonso recently confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer after a successful period, culminating in their first-ever Bundesliga title. While Real Madrid hasn`t officially announced Alonso as the new manager, speculation is high about how this change could impact the squad. Here are some players who might particularly benefit from his arrival.
Arda Guler
Xabi Alonso`s time at Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated his ability to develop young talent, notably Florian Wirtz, whose offensive output significantly improved after a tactical adjustment. This brings us to Arda Guler. Real Madrid signed the promising Turkish youngster in 2023, but despite scoring a combined 16 goals in his first two seasons (6 in 2023-24, 10 in 2024-25), he hasn`t secured a regular starting spot. Coach Ancelotti has often stated Guler needs more time to become a key player. However, Guler now seems poised for a breakthrough, and Alonso`s arrival could be perfectly timed for him to step up and become a starter. Alonso will need to identify his optimal role, but Guler`s immense potential is undeniable.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Predicting the exact Real Madrid squad for the upcoming season is premature, but changes are anticipated under Alonso`s leadership. Alonso`s system at Leverkusen heavily relied on dynamic full-backs like Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremy Frimpong, who were vital to their success in the 2023-24 treble-winning season (Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, plus reaching the Europa League final, ending their 51-game unbeaten run). While Real Madrid hasn`t confirmed any new signings, Trent Alexander-Arnold is strongly rumored to join, having announced his departure from Liverpool this summer. Alexander-Arnold`s experience and attacking prowess make him a potential key wide player for Alonso, though he might not be the only addition in this critical position.
Jude Bellingham
We`ve discussed a current player seeking consistency and a potential new signing. Now let`s consider someone already excelling. While star forwards like Kylian Mbappe (expected to join) and Vinicius Jr. will likely maintain their roles, Jude Bellingham`s position might evolve under Alonso. Bellingham is versatile, capable of playing deeper or as an attacking midfielder, similar to Wirtz`s role at Leverkusen. If any current star could further enhance their game and numbers under Alonso`s tactical approach, it is likely Jude Bellingham.
Dominic Ashworth