Real Madrid look like a transformed team under Xabi Alonso compared to the Carlo Ancelotti era.
The Spanish coach has brought in new tactical concepts and a sense of balance, making Los Blancos appear more complete and structured.
Still, despite the positive signs, there are already a few challenges for Alonso to deal with – mainly the surplus of players in certain positions.
To begin with, at centre-back, Madrid currently have five players competing for just two spots, while at left-back there are three for one position.
Naturally, this has led to some players waiting longer for their chance.
Alonso has been clear in his stance, insisting that no one has a guaranteed place, though he recognises that stars such as Thibaut Courtois, Dean Huijsen, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe are nearly undroppable at the moment.
Alonso’s discards
Interestingly, across the 270 minutes of La Liga action so far, four players are yet to make their debut this season, namely, David Alaba, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia, and Andriy Lunin.
Fran Garcia was a revelation during the Club World Cup. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Two of them are centre-backs and one is a left-back, which underlines the issue of overcrowding in defence.
The situation is further complicated by injuries. Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Endrick and Ferland Mendy are currently unavailable, though most are expected to return to training later this month.
Curiosity with Fran Garcia
What stands out is Fran Garcia’s case. The left-back played all six Club World Cup matches in full and impressed with his performances, yet he now finds himself on the sidelines.
The arrival of Alvaro Carreras has seemingly pushed him down the pecking order, though Alonso insists he still has confidence in the defender.
The coach even admitted, “I spoke with Fran García, Asencio and Alaba, with all of them, and they all know that they will have opportunities to play, there will be times when let’s have three games a week.”
As for Lunin, his position is clear. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has long known that his only route into the starting XI comes if Thibaut Courtois is unavailable.
For now, he remains on the bench as Alonso continues to build his new-look Real Madrid.
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