At Valdebebas, the mystery surrounding the new season runs deeper than it initially appears. Training began on the first day, but the high tempo and clear messages delivered to the players suggest that a plan is quietly unfolding behind the scenes, perhaps a pivotal one whose details remain unknown to the public.
Nothing about this summer feels typical within the club. Technical and administrative changes are accelerating, and while the spotlight is on names that might seem essential, behind closed doors, there is growing speculation about a player or a pivotal figure who could be the key to a true breakthrough.
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At the center of these transformations stands coach Xabi Alonso, who has returned to Madrid to reignite the team’s spirit with his modern, high-pressing, and structured style. His approach was shaped during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, and this is his era and the moment he has long awaited, following a disappointing start in European competition. It sets the stage for what the club hopes will be a new chapter that restores the glow of Real Madrid.
Among the new arrivals, Aurélien Tchouaméni and dynamic center-back Dean Huijsen stand out. The pair made their mark during the Copa del Rey, while Thibaut Courtois is reportedly close to extending his contract by another year. However, the surprises don’t end there. Jude Bellingham, despite his current absence due to injury, and the anticipated return of his golden brilliance, represent the foundations of Alonso’s tactical vision. The plan is to create a more dynamic and powerful attacking system for the Merengue faithful.
Upon their full return from injury and adjustment, Bellingham and Mbappé are expected to take on central roles — the former as the tactical orchestrator on the pitch, and the latter as the driving force in both scoring and creating opportunities.
This season marks a new test of Xabi Alonso’s resolve, and of the ability of the newcomers to assimilate into a team identity that is poised to restore Real Madrid’s joy of victory and help them shine once again in both La Liga and the Champions League.
