Real Madrid News
Real Madrid set to start training under Xabi Alonso on June 9 with just five players
Having been announced as the new Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso will want to get things up and running as soon as possible.
After a gruelling campaign laden with injuries, Alonso’s Real Madrid setup is expected to kickstart training from June 9, as per reports from COPE (h/t Madrid Universal).
Only five players available
However, the report adds that Xabi Alonso will have to kickstart the team’s training with just five first-team players available at his disposal.
This is quite the early blow for the new coach, who is already pushing Real Madrid to bring in multiple players in the summer transfer window.
The five players in question are Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo.
Interestingly, all of these players, barring Asencio, is facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid. Alonso, therefore, may have an excellent opportunity to closely assess their traits and what they can bring to the table, although Lucas’ exit has been confirmed.
The report explains that Alonso will only have five first-team players as no less than eight players are currently out injured and will remain so even by the time Real Madrid kickstart their new season preparations.
In addition, nine players will be on international duty ahead of a jam-packed window, when it comes to international football.
However, the lack of availability of first-team stars could be an ideal excuse for Alonso to try out some of the academy talents from La Fabrica.
In recent years, Real Madrid have fallen behind Barcelona when it comes to nurturing young players and making them a crucial part of the first-team.
Xabi Alonso is here to change that and with just five players available on June 9, the Spaniard will get ample opportunity to assess some of La Fabrica‘s top talents in action.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
