Xabi Alonso will arrive in Real Madrid this summer, and when it is expected to bring a new tactical style for that of Carlo Ancelotti. But these plans can change.
During his time as manager of Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso operated on a 3-4-3 system, and it is expected that he will use it when he joins Real Madrid. But according to a Diario AS report, the idea at the moment is that he starts with a 4-4-2, which is a formation that Ancelotti has used a lot in recent seasons.
And it is said that it is Jude Bellingham who leads this decision. It was expected that the international of England would play in a deeper role in the arrival of Alonso, but it is now assumed that the incoming manager regards him as valuable in the left midfield position, where he had surgery when Ancelotti played a 4-4-2.
This system would see Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio/Dean Huijsen as center backs, with Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni the starting central midfielders. On the right side, Arda Guler or Rodrygo would be able to leave Real Madrid in the summer. With attack it would be the same as this season: Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid officials expect Alonso to use the same system as the one he mainly played at Leverkusen, so it would be a surprise to see him turn into four defenders. But until the day he arrives, nothing is put in stone.
One of the tasks that Alonso will have from this summer is to bring Bellingham back to his former level. He has had a difficult season and the bosses of Real Madrid are far from impressed by him this season, so there is a demand for him to improve in the future.