Xabi Alonso on suggestion that Real Madrid need him in midfield

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso stopped short of hinting that his side could benefit from any additions in midfield. The construction of the middle of the pitch has been one of the main points of discussion for Los Blancos this season, with a lack of fluidity in attack one of the central problems for Alonso to solve.

There was talk that Real Madrid could move for a midfielder who dictates the tempo in the summer, after losing Toni Kroos and Luka Modric over the last 18 months, but they decided against doing so. The irony of Alonso, a player who could potentially fit the bill, returning on a manager has not been lost, and he was asked whether his side would benefit from his qualities as a player.

“I hope not… We’re going all the way with this squad. We’re growing and we can play well. We can compete consistently. We have a complete squad with different qualities. We have dynamic players with the potential to develop. My job is to invest in them so they’re better at the end of the season. In two months, we’ve seen the development of many. In the medium term, in the long-term, we’ll… But we want to compete now, and we’re doing well. With the ambition to keep improving.”

Arda Guler comparisons with Guti and Mesut Ozil

One of the players who had been among the options to play deeper alongside Aurelien Tchouameni was Arda Guler, but increasingly Guler has looked his best in the final third. His connection with Kylian Mbappe has been a highlight for Alonso’s side, and was the winning combination against Getafe. Alonso was asked about comparisons with Mesut Ozil and Guti Hernandez.

“[It’s] Not just where they come from. He’s a mix between Ozil and Guti. Guti had that quality to play in the build-up alittle deeper and for the final pass. Mesut too. I really enjoyed playing with Ozil. The more we find Arda, the more we improve. We have to keep pushing him. We’re very happy with him.”

Eduardo Camavinga frustration

Another option for a deeper role is Eduardo Camavinga, but he has been on the outside looking in so far. It was put to Alonso that there is a frustration in France that he is yet to make the most of all of his talent.

“With Eduardo, we’re just getting started. He’s only been available for a few weeks. He’s been in dynamic mode for three weeks. He hasn’t played for Real Madrid in a while, and he did a lot of things well. As a midfielder, he has a dynamic style, a way of passing very differently than others. We have to fit his individual quality into the team.”

Real Madrid take on Juventus at 21:00 CEST on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu, their third meeting in the Champions League this season. They will seek to add to their two wins over Olympique Marseille and Kairat Almaty.