Real Madrid News
Alonso to meet with Real Madrid megastar to discuss major issue regarding work rate
According to a report from MARCA, newly-appointed Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is preparing to have a frank conversation with Vinicius Jr. when pre-season begins.
The former midfielder is determined to install a collective ethos at Real Madrid and that starts with his most explosive attacker.
Alonso plans to make it clear to Vinicius that while his attacking brilliance is undeniable, it must be matched by commitment and sacrifice for the team.
What will be the conversation about?
Within the team, there is growing concern that a lack of collective effort, especially from the forwards, has cost the team dearly in the 2024/25 campaign.
On several occasions, Madrid’s structure collapsed under pressure, largely due to forwards not tracking back or pressing with enough intensity.
The new manager knows that his system requires total buy-in from the front three, not just in attack, but also defensively.
The outlet mentions that the idea that one attacker can be “freed” of defensive duties may be accepted, but certainly not two or three.
A puzzling season for Vinicius
Vinicius ended the season with 20 goals and 17 assists, numbers that most players would be proud of. But within the club and among fans, the general feeling is that the Brazilian’s performances were underwhelming.
Despite his output, he failed to shine in the season’s biggest moments. He struggled to stamp his authority in decisive matches and did not quite live up to the standard he had set in previous years.
Worse still, his on-field demeanour, often seen as overconfident or confrontational, has started to rub some fans the wrong way.
For what it is worth, Alonso does not believe that Vinicius has lost his touch. On the contrary, he sees the winger as an essential part of Real Madrid’s future, but only if he is willing to adapt and embrace a more team-oriented approach.
The conversation between the two will not just be about tactics, but about responsibility, leadership, and attitude.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
