Xabi Alonso's dream Real Madrid line-up

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 May 2025 17:49 BST
• 6 min read

Analysis

Xabi Alonso is set to become the new Real Madrid manager.

The legendary former midfielder has officially announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen after leading them to a historic, invincible domestic double last season.

The current campaign has been more of a learning experience for the still-young coach, but it has done nothing to dim his sparkling reputation. After all, in terms of points, Leverkusen have enjoyed their second-best Bundesliga season in club history.

Although his move to Real Madrid has not been officially confirmed yet, it is only a matter of time before Alonso heads to the Spanish capital to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, with Los Blancos hoping to already have their ex-player available for the Club World Cup in June.

Naturally, Alonso's move to LaLiga has given rise to speculation about which players he could sign for Real Madrid, who are expected to announce the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool imminently.

Alonso's dream XI

There are certainly some players at Leverkusen that Alonso would love to bring along to Madrid. Moreover, he is a known admirer of Martin Zubimendi at Real Sociedad, where he began his coaching career.

Zubimendi would certainly make the tactician's dream XI, although FootballTransfers exclusively revealed on Friday that he will become Arsenal's first summer signing.

At this point, it is unclear how Real Madrid will line up under the Basque. He has primarily played with a back-three system at Leverkusen, however, it is unlikely that he will look to copy this style in Spain.

During his time in Real Sociedad's youth setup, Alonso experimented with several formations and chiefly used a back-four, which he has also occasionally employed at Leverkusen.

On paper, Real Madrid's team looks well-suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2 system. In goal, Alonso will rely on Thibaut Courtois, while Trent Alexander-Arnold will immediately slot in at right-back.

The Liverpool vice-captain could have a similar impact to Jeremie Frimpong at Leverkusen. On the other side, Alonso used to employ the equally attack-minded Alejandro Grimaldo, hence his preference for a back-three system.

Grimaldo, a boyhood Barcelona fan and ex-La Masia graduate, is unlikely to follow Alonso. Instead, Real Madrid could sign Jorrel Hato from Ajax.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed their interest in the wonderkid, who can play as a centre-back and a left-back and who seems perfect for Alonso's football.

The centre-back partnership could be an all-German one, with Real Madrid interested in Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah. He is known to have a great relationship with Alonso and already partners Antonio Rudiger on the international stage.

As mentioned, Alonso would have loved to sign Zubimendi for the midfield, so we will include him in this dream line-up. One of Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni would partner him.

On Friday, Alonso hinted that he would like to take Florian Wirtz with him to Real Madrid by bluntly dismissing suggestions that the 21-year-old is keen on a move to Bayern.

A transfer for the German wonderkid seems unrealistic due to the sheer amount of attacking talent at Real Madrid's disposal, but there have been suggestions that Rodrygo could be offloaded this summer.

Should Wirtz replace the Brazilian, Alonso would still have to tweak some things as the Leverkusen superstar loves to drift out to the left, just like Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.

The 43-year-old could perhaps make it work by using Wirtz as a left-sided No.10 and Jude Bellingham as a right-sided one in a 4-2-2-2 with Vinicius and Mbappe up top.

Final starting XI

GK: Thibaut Courtois

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

CB: Antonio Rudiger

CB: Jonathan Tah

LB: Jorrel Hato

CM: Federico Valverde

CM: Martin Zubimendi

AM: Jude Bellingham

AM: Florian Wirtz

ST: Kylian Mbappe

ST: Vinicius Jr

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