Real Madrid have started preseason after their not-so-successful run at the Club World Cup with Xabi Alonso as coach. The Spaniard had just landed in the Spanish capital and still needed to adapt. In addition, he had to get to know all the footballers firsthand before starting to make decisions.
Xabi Alonso, despite being young and inexperienced, is a very high-quality coach, something he showed with Bayer Leverkusen. He has become Real Madrid's hope and Los Blancos still trust him to the fullest. In fact, he has made a big change in one of the players who seemed certain to be sold this very summer.
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso didn't start in the best possible way, but that's normal; all changes need their adaptation process. The coach received a lot of criticism after the poor Club World Cup, but the reality is that the footballers didn't do their job either. Most of them were strolling around the field and showed they didn't care whether they broke a sweat or not.
Faced with this situation, Xabi Alonso made the decision to bench those who until then were considered "untouchables." From that point on, Real Madrid have started to improve and the great result in the last match proves it. Coincidentally, one of the players who seemed certain to be sold this very summer has surprised everyone.
We're talking about Tchouaméni, who had a great match against Tirol, providing an assist to Mbappé. The holding midfielder is now not only useful in the center of the field; he also performs well in the center of defense. In the recent match, the Frenchman showed he can be the fifth center-back whenever the team needs him.
Aurélien Tchouaméni is the solution
Aurélien Tchouaméni hasn't had it easy at Real Madrid and his abilities have often been questioned. In fact, his own fans have booed him on many occasions, thus showing their absolute discontent. It was said he was going to be a certain sale, but Xabi Alonso is changing him completely.
The coach won't be guided by names; the footballers who most deserve it and who prove they're capable will play. We'll have to keep a very close eye on Tchouaméni so we don't miss any updates. Even so, it's unlikely he'll leave this transfer window.