Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star’s attitude in training has changed for the better under Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid’s last game against Pachuca was an indicator that Rodrygo will not have it easy under Xabi Alonso.
After a so-so performance against Al-Hilal, the Brazilian was left on the bench against Pachuca, with Alonso choosing to start with Arda Guler instead.
The Turkish international didn’t fail to impress either, which puts Rodrygo in an even tougher spot, especially amid murmurs about his future at the club.
Real Madrid not happy with Rodrygo’s father
According to The Athletic, the uncertainty surrounding Rodrygo is not new and stems from issues that came up towards the end of last season.
There were reports of the winger lacking motivation in training, while his father and agent, Eric Goes, complained to the club about his son’s situation.
Complaints coming from Rodrygo’s father didn’t go down well with the club, which fueled further speculation about a potential move away from Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal, in fact, have been constantly linked with a move for the attacker, although Real Madrid demanding a fee of around €90 million.
Rodrygo’s attitude has improved under Xabi Alonso
However, the arrival of Xabi Alonso has reportedly brought a significant positive shift.
As per the report, Rodrygo’s “attitude has changed for the better” under the new manager. This comes on the back of special attention given by Alonso towards the Brazilian.
Rodrygo himself looks more focused and committed to his goal, even hinting on social media recently that he is ‘happy’.
However, Alonso’s decision to bench him against Pachuca was a clear sign that intent and positivity alone won’t make Rodrygo a regular starter at Real Madrid next season.
The player must produce quality on the pitch and move on from the horrors of last season. With a young coach ready to back him, there is no reason why the Brazilian won’t be able to turn things around.
After a month into the new season, Aurelien Tchouameni is finally back in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season for the Merengues last night against Inter Milan after recovering from the muscular injury that delayed his campaign.
His return to fitness had raised questions over where he would fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Tchouameni has been a regular in Real Madrid’s midfield for several seasons under different managers, but the end of last season was far less straightforward.
His confrontation with Federico Valverde, combined with speculation over his future at the club, created uncertainty about his position. His lack of a proper pre-season also appeared to put him behind other midfield options.
Bernardo Silva had established himself as an important figure, while Eduardo Camavinga was also ahead of Tchouameni in terms of match fitness.
With Real Madrid looking for greater creativity in midfield, there were questions over whether the Frenchman would still be a first-choice player.
Key for Mourinho
According to AS (h/t Bernabeu Digital), however, Mourinho has no such doubts. Tchouameni remains a key player for the Portuguese coach and is expected to be a starter.
Mourinho sees the French international as a midfielder without a direct replacement in the squad.
For Jose, Tchouameni provides something that none of the other midfielders in the squad do – a more defensive and positional presence, combining his tactical discipline with considerable physical strength.
His ability to shield the defence and provide balance could be particularly important for a Real Madrid side that want to defend aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
For that reason, his absence at the start of the campaign has not changed the manager’s view of his importance.
Mourinho faces a midfield selection problem
The challenge for Mourinho now is finding a way to fit all the pieces together.
If Tchouameni is guaranteed a starting position and Valverde is considered untouchable as captain, the obvious consequence is that Bernardo could find himself starting from the bench.
The summer arrival had been given an important role in helping Real Madrid control and distribute possession from deeper positions.
However, with Tchouameni and Valverde both occupying midfield places, Mourinho cannot accommodate everyone in the same lineup.
How the Portuguese coach manages that competition will be interesting to see in the coming weeks.
