Xabi Alonso is starting put his mark on the Real Madrid squad at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Spanish coach accepted the offer to return to his former side in May as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.
The Club World Cup is being used as a testing ground for Alonso’s methods as the new man in charge looks to build for the 2025/26 season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen both started Alonso’s first two games in the USA with the pair expected to play a key role moving forward.
Fede Valverde has taken over captain’s armband, with the outgoing Luka Modric starting on the bench, and Dani Carvajal still recovering from a long-term knee injury.
Valverde missed a penalty in the 1-1 draw against Al Hilal, but he bounced back against Pachuca, to net the clinching goal in a 3-1 win over Mexicans.
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The Uruguayan is one of the candidates to take over the captaincy from Modric in the coming weeks, with Carvajal’s spot under threat from Trent’s arrival, and Alonso admitted the Los Blancos No.8 is vital in his plans – with a nod to one of his old Liverpool teammates.
“He reminds me of Steven Gerrard, he covers so much ground, accelerates and makes 30-40m runs. He has an unbelievable shot and arrives very well from the second phase.
“If you tell him he has to play on the right, he plays on the right, and the same goes for playing centrally.
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“I’m very happy to coach him. I think all coaches would like to have a Fede Valverde on their team.”
Valverde’s admiration for his manager is mirrored as he aims for glory in the knockout stages of the tournament.
“It’s a wonderful honour to have your coach say this about you. It makes me happy, I will keep working and continue to be an example to my teammates.
“He asks me to have a lot of control, patience, to try to attack space and continue contributing what I already do. He gives me a lot of confidence, and is always there for me, as he was when I missed the penalty. “
Real Madrid face RB Salzburg in their final Group H game on June 27 in Philadelphia where a draw will confirm a Round of 16 place.
Alonso already has a clear idea of who lies on the horizon in the next phase, via either Manchester City or Juventus in place, depending how on each side finishes in Group G and his own final placing in Group H.
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