Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid?

comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
It was always Madrid or he would have taken the Liverpool job last summer. I imagine he wouldn’t have had discussions already last summer about the move this summer.

Will be interesting if he sticks with his system. Obviously TAA could be perfect for that system with a wing back role more focused on attacking but where does that leave Bellingham? He’s not really a midfielder and won’t be sitting back spraying passes around and keeping the ball, which is required in that system.

I find managers these days are very rigid in their methods in regards to their systems, most will stick with their system no matter what, as United fans have seen with Amorim. Fair play but for me some managers just don’t suit a club. Like Amorim at United, I think if Alonso doesn’t switch it up, it will not work out.
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Yeah it's an interesting fit cos I don't think the players Madrid have really fit his system, but they also don't really fit the current system.

At a push I'd say maybe a 4-3-1-2 with Bellingham in the hole would be the obvious fit but I can't necessarily see Alonso going for that.

comment by T-BAD (U11806)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
It was always Madrid or he would have taken the Liverpool job last summer. I imagine he wouldn’t have had discussions already last summer about the move this summer.

Will be interesting if he sticks with his system. Obviously TAA could be perfect for that system with a wing back role more focused on attacking but where does that leave Bellingham? He’s not really a midfielder and won’t be sitting back spraying passes around and keeping the ball, which is required in that system.

I find managers these days are very rigid in their methods in regards to their systems, most will stick with their system no matter what, as United fans have seen with Amorim. Fair play but for me some managers just don’t suit a club. Like Amorim at United, I think if Alonso doesn’t switch it up, it will not work out.
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Yeah it's an interesting fit cos I don't think the players Madrid have really fit his system, but they also don't really fit the current system.

At a push I'd say maybe a 4-3-1-2 with Bellingham in the hole would be the obvious fit but I can't necessarily see Alonso going for that.
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Don’t think Madrid suit a 4-3-1-2 myself. They want to play with wide players, with Vini obviously and have always had a focus on a front three, for a couple of decades now.

It would more likely be exactly like Amorim at United currently. Bellingham in the Fernandes role, on the right of the two behind Mbappe and Vini on the left.

I can’t see it working however. It’s a system that works in games against the better teams when you’re weaker than the opposition, these days. Although Madrid’s players would be much more suited to it that United’s are and obviously they have better players also.

Perhaps not, it seems the most obvious in a 'if I was using them on FIFA' kinda way but probably not that practical.

I guess the reality is that there's no obvious answer apart from getting a few new players, because the squad has been built with the view of talent being more important than balance.

It'll be a totally different kind of challenge for him and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on with it.

comment by T-BAD (U11806)
posted 3 hours, 2 minutes ago
comment by Be A Grizzly (U2206)
posted 5 minutes ago
So do Arsenal if they want to win anything.
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even on an article about the Leverkusen manager going to Real Madrid, on the Utd board.
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I never go on Man U board.
It’s on the Premier League board (you are still in it)

This is why I am frustrated that we won’t bin off Amorim. Top managers like Alonso are slipping through our fingers by way of sheer stubbornness. We will regret it I fear.

What system did Alonso play when managing the Sociedad B team? I don't watch Leverkusen at all, has he always been quite rigid with his system?

However he plays it looks like he won't be taking Wirtz with him who seemingly wants to stay in Germany.

Weirdly, on Alonso's Wiki it currently has him down as managing Chelsea. I'm guessing it's just someone messing around (is it really that easy to change stuff on Wiki?).

1982 I think he has played a variety of formations this season.

Re: Wirtz, I thought City were desperate to sign him. Has he said he's not moving abroad?

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
1982 I think he has played a variety of formations this season.

He’s the anti-Amorim
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Russian

What I read was that all of Bayern, City and Real want him but his preference is to stay in Germany and move to Bayern. I guess a move abroad with a new language isn’t for everyone.

He's German, so he probably speaks better English than us! Anyway, I'll be glad if City don't get him. He's a superb player.