Xabi Alonso: “Whoever deserves to play will play”

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has addressed the media ahead of this weekend’s return to his former club, Real Sociedad, and he spoke about competition for places within his squad. “Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the team, with players pushing each other internally because there are teammates who are ready,” he explained, answering a question specifically on the right-back position. “This also happens in other positions, such as central defence and wingers. Whoever deserves to play will play, and it’s going to be very repetitive throughout the year.”

“It’s demanding. Everyone has done well. They haven’t been affected.”

“We want to succeed, with human qualities, so that everyone feels part of the team, ready to contribute when necessary. We are starting demanding blocks of the calendar and we need everyone rowing in the same direction.”

“I want to be a little optimistic and hope he’ll be back before October. He’s doing some partial, non-contact work, but Jude is putting a lot of effort into his recovery. Let’s see if he can make progress next week, and when we feel good about it, we’ll be waiting for him.”

“The most important thing is that they have arrived on time and in good health. We do have more players here than we usually do. We are in the process of continuing to consolidate things.”

““I hope he’s going with us! It’s a special game at home [for me].”

“They can, they’ve done it before. It’s not out of the question; the fact that we haven’t done it yet means nothing. You can’t draw conclusions based on just three games.”

““I don’t think it’s a bad idea, if it helps explain situations and can help reduce errors... There will always be errors.”

“If it were up to us, he’d stay with us.”

“Eduardo [Camavinga] is at a similar stage to Jude [Bellingham]; he can do almost everything. He will be in the squad list shortly. He has been given the medical green light. Ferland [Mendy] has a few more weeks to go.”

“We’re still in the early stages. We want to make changes. Physically, we’re in better shape, we’re getting into the normal rhythm of playing every three days, we need fresh players.”

“He is in a very good place, both in terms of his play and his personality. After his first season, he is really looking forward to this second one and is embracing the role. It doesn’t have to be just him.”

“The players are getting used to it! It’s a way of getting your head in order, setting goals, allocating minutes...”

“It was because the World Cup was a different context to now. We needed a game plan, not to build what we want now. It wasn’t three central defenders, it was a midfielder tucked in there. I haven’t forgotten that, we have five center backs so given the qualities of the players we can do it. The fact that it hasn’t happened in three games isn’t conclusive, there’s still a long way to go.”

“I don’t see it that way. Every game is very important; these are points that could be decisive in the long run. You have to give importance to everything.”

“Vinicius didn’t go because of the suspension. Mili is coming back from a long injury and when he has played, he has played at a higher level. Rodrygo is getting better and better. Endrick is very close. The four of them aren’t going to stay here again, if it happens, all the better, but I think Carlo [Ancelotti] will call them back.”

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