Real Madrid do not do rebuilds. They reload.
But the last few seasons have revealed cracks in that philosophy—aging legs in defense, stalled chemistry up front, and a midfield trying to stretch across two eras. In stepping into Carlo Ancelotti‘s shoes, Xabi Alonso inherits more than a legendary seat. He inherits contradictions.
Here are four things he must fix if he’s to restore clarity at the Santiago Bernabéu.
A defense in transition
Alonso built his Bayer Leverkusen side on control, structure, and progressive ball movement from the back. That will not be easy to replicate in Madrid. The defense has been patched together for much of the year, with Eder Militão and David Alaba missing extended stretches through injury.
Madrid’s response has already begun. Dean Huijsen, a ball-playing center-back with composure and aerial strength, arrives for $64 million. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also poised to join, bringing elite distribution from wide areas—but also defensive question marks. That might nudge Alonso toward the three-at-the-back system he favored in Germany. If so, it demands immediate buy-in from a locker room not used to positional experimentation.
But before systems, Alonso must decide if Alaba still fits. Once untouchable, the Austrian has become surplus to requirements. A conversation is looming.
Mbappé and Vinícius: A two-man dance
The dream of pairing Kylian Mbappé with Vinícius Jr. has long hovered over Florentino Pérez’s transfer plans. Now that it’s real, the tactical headache begins. Both players thrive on the left, both want space to run, and neither naturally plays as a traditional lone striker.
Alonso is expected to use a 4-2-2-2 formation, placing Mbappé and Vinícius up top and Jude Bellingham on the left of the box midfield. That leaves Rodrygo squeezed out and introduces a major challenge: Can Alonso get these two superstars to complement, not crowd, each other?
The answer may lie in movement off the ball. Alonso’s Leverkusen relied on fluid interchanges and quick wide switches. Madrid will need more than isolated bursts from their stars. They will need sacrifice. Whether Mbappé or Vinícius is willing to adjust first could define Alonso’s honeymoon phase.
Modric, the bridge between past and future
Luka Modric’s career has bent the rules of aging, but time is undefeated. He turns 40 this September and was widely expected to depart. Instead, Alonso has requested a one-year renewal, citing his leadership and calm in the dressing room.
That is not nostalgia. It is calculation.
Modric is no longer a 90-minute solution, but as a cultural anchor and situational playmaker, he remains valuable. Alonso’s challenge is to protect the veteran’s minutes while empowering younger midfielders like Arda Güler, Aurelien Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga, who still lack consistency.
The midfield is crowded but raw. Modric can help shape it without becoming a crutch.
Hard calls on fan favorites
Rodrygo, Mendy, Ceballos, Alaba—these are not just squad players. They are symbols of previous eras or investments not fully realized. But with Mbappé and Alexander-Arnold incoming, roles will shrink.
Rodrygo is the most glaring example. Already frustrated under Ancelotti, the Brazilian now faces a potential bench role. Alonso will meet with him soon, but Madrid are prepared to sell for $86 million if needed.
Alonso’s job is not just to motivate. It is to filter. That means not blinking when tough decisions are required. The same goes for Ferland Mendy, whose injuries have dulled his once dynamic left flank play. And for Ceballos, whose place in midfield looks increasingly theoretical.
Alonso’s past buys him time. His present will demand resolve.
