Xabi Alonso’s return to Real Madrid is not just a managerial appointment but a tactical reset. After years of rotating between pragmatism and moments of brilliance under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, Madrid is poised to adopt a more structured, progressive identity. Alonso, shaped by Guardiola’s possession-based rigor and Benítez’s and Mourinho’s precision, is expected to implement a hybrid system rooted in control, pressing, and positional play.
That evolution will come with winners and losers. At the same time, veterans may face reduced roles, a new core benefits from Alonso’s ideas. Whether it is a change in formation or simply a shift in tempo, several players appear uniquely suited to thrive in the footballing world Alonso wants to build.
Here are five players who could flourish in Real Madrid’s new tactical era.
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham’s adaptability makes him a foundational piece under Alonso. Having thrived in an advanced role, he is now expected to drop deeper, acting as the conduit between defense and attack. His ability to dictate tempo, break lines with passing, and arrive late in the box perfectly fits Alonso’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup. He becomes not just a runner but a rhythm-setter.
Arda Güler
Güler may be the biggest beneficiary of a system that values spatial intelligence and technical clarity. Under Alonso, the Turkish playmaker could operate in the half-spaces behind the strikers, similar to how Florian Wirtz thrived at Leverkusen. His close control, composure, and vertical passing make him ideal for a fluid attack that breaks compact lines.
Dean Huijsen
Signed with Alonso’s system in mind, Huijsen is a modern center-back: tall, calm on the ball, and comfortable progressing play. In a back three, he will defend space and initiate moves, acting as a deep-lying playmaker. Alonso’s tactical model requires defenders who can think like midfielders, and Huijsen fits that mold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Assuming his free transfer is finalized, Trent is tailor-made for the right wing-back role. His range of passing and vision from wide positions will be crucial in stretching opponents and supplying crosses to Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. Alonso’s structure gives full-backs the freedom to play as creators. This shift could unlock a new chapter in Trent’s career.
Fede Valverde
Valverde is Alonso’s kind of midfielder: dynamic, disciplined, and relentless. He thrives in transitional moments and has the stamina to cover both flanks. Whether deployed as a central pivot or a hybrid wide midfielder, Valverde will be a key figure in Alonso’s pressing structure and link-up play. He embodies the physical and tactical balance Alonso wants in midfield.
