Real Madrid News
Xabi Alonso plans to tweak Real Madrid talisman’s role at the FIFA Club World Cup
According to a recent report from Ruben Martin, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is planning a positional shift for Jude Bellingham, aiming to transition the English star into a more traditional midfield role rather than using him as an advanced attacker.
The move is expected to take shape during the Club World Cup, where Alonso intends to test Bellingham in a deeper position, with an eye on improving the team’s balance and overall fluidity.
Bellingham’s role at Madrid has evolved rapidly since his arrival, especially under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who granted him freedom to roam in the final third.
However, Alonso sees things differently. The Spaniard, renowned for his tactical acumen and personal experience as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, believes Bellingham can offer much more when deployed slightly deeper on the pitch.
One for the team
The early belief within the new coaching staff is that Bellingham’s repositioning could benefit the team significantly.
Bellingham, who has played in a double pivot for the England national team, is seen as someone capable of bringing both energy and structure to Alonso’s midfield unit.
This tactical restructuring comes as part of a broader shift under Alonso, who is determined to redefine the way Madrid operates through the middle of the park.
The club’s technical reports align with this thinking, highlighting Bellingham’s ability to dictate play from deeper areas while still arriving in the box at the right moments, a dual-threat that could be vital to Madrid’s ambitions in 2025/26.
Should the Club World Cup experiment prove successful, it may also influence the club’s decision on whether to invest in another central midfielder during the summer window.
If Bellingham adapts well to his new responsibilities, it could save Madrid the need for further reinforcement in that department.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
