It’s not Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, or Vinicus: Xabi Alonso’s new formation brings Trent Alexander-Arnold—but might spell finish for Real Madrid favorite
As Real Madrid transitions into a new tactical era under Xabi Alonso, the soccer world is abuzz with speculation—not about Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, or Vinicius Junior—but another star whose future now hangs in the balance. Alonso’s revamped formation, designed to maximize the output of Trent Alexander-Arnold, could spell the end of one player’s time in Madrid, shaking the foundations of Los Blancos’ forward hierarchy.
Xabi Alonso’s commitment to adapting Real Madrid’s identity became evident during the Club World Cup. In a pivotal match against Salzburg, the Spanish manager shifted away from Madrid’s traditional 4-3-3, opting instead for a 3-4-1-2 system. This move was intended to unlock the potential of new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had struggled in a conventional right-back role during earlier matches against Al Hilal and Pachuca.
The change paid off. The Englishman delivered a standout performance, shining in a right wing-back position that offered him the freedom to join attacks while still contributing defensively. With Madrid now leaning toward this new shape for the remainder of the tournament—and possibly beyond—it raises urgent questions about who fits and who doesn’t.
Los Blancos’ attacking spots are becoming scarce real estate. The 3-4-1-2 formation creates fewer forward roles compared to the previous setup, and players like Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, and Valverde are already cemented in the lineup. This leaves a number of talented players—Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Franco Mastantuono—jostling for minimal space.
But no player is more vulnerable in this equation than Rodrygo, the Brazilian winger once considered an essential cog in the Madrid machine.
Rodrygo: From promising prospect to odd man out
Rodrygo’s situation has rapidly deteriorated. His form toward the end of the season left much to be desired—highlighted by a poor showing in the Copa del Rey final, where he was subbed off at halftime. Since then, his minutes have dried up. He was benched in the final crucial La Liga matches against Celta Vigo and Barcelona, as Madrid waved goodbye to the title.
The 24-year-old’s struggles continued in the Club World Cup. After a disastrous first game, he didn’t feature in the second and played only a brief, underwhelming cameo in the third. With Gonzalo surpassing him in the pecking order, and Franco Mastantuono arriving on August 15, his path to reclaiming a spot seems blocked.
Premier League escape?
Amid uncertainty, Arsenal have emerged as frontrunners in the race to sign the Brazilian ace. The Premier League giants are monitoring his situation, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City also circling. Reports suggest the Brazilian is reluctant to sign a new deal at Madrid and is open to a summer move, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming.
Real Madrid appears ready to move on. As per Marca, the club has placed a $108 million price tag on Rodrygo, but sources suggest they would settle for around $87 million. The reasoning is clear: Madrid is undergoing a rebuild. With Gonzalo, Mastantuono, Endrick, and Brahim Diaz all viable attacking options, keeping an underperforming, high-salary player on the bench makes little sense.