Xabi Alonso Sends Warning to Real Madrid Squad Ahead of Jude Bellingham’s Return

The Spanish coach has advised players to give their all, as he hinted at when Jude Bellingham might return to action.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso expressed his relief at the safe return of all 13 players who were on international duty last week.

The manager previewed a ‘demanding’ trip to Anoeta to face Real Sociedad, marking the first of seven matches Real Madrid will play in the next 22 days.

Given the congested fixture list, the Spanish coach has ample options to rotate the squad without compromising quality.

When asked about the tight competition between Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold for a spot on the right defensive flank, Alonso dismissed any notion of discord and praised the squad’s depth.

“Competition is healthy, and that’s crucial for the dressing room. It’s good for players to feel pushed to perform at their best. It’s important that no one feels left out,” he said.

“Whoever deserves to play, will play,” Alonso warned, also hinting at the possibility of deploying a three-centre-back system and a starting XI featuring Rodrygo, Vini Jr., and Kylian Mbappe simultaneously.

The Spanish coach highlighted the French international’s great form, who has already scored three goals in as many games this season, “not just on the field, but personally as well.”

“Daily, he embraces a shared leadership role. We want to foster a cohesive group in the dressing room to build what we envision. Kylian is fundamental,” Xabi Alonso explained.

Xabi Alonso exuded optimism when questioned about Jude Bellingham’s recovery. The English midfielder, who underwent shoulder surgery on July 16, might be back on the pitch slightly sooner than anticipated.

“I hope he can be ready before October. He’s starting to train partially with the group. He’s made a great effort to recover, he’s doing very well,” the Spanish coach predicted.

However, Xabi Alonso revealed that Jude Bellingham would not be included in the squad for San Sebastián but expects the English midfielder to train ‘normally’ with the team next week.

Jude Bellingham had been battling a chronic shoulder issue for nearly two years, stemming from a clash against Rayo Vallecano on November 5, 2023.

The English international opted to play through the pain without surgery to avoid missing his debut season in Madrid and to participate in Euro 2024 with the English national team.

For the past two years, Jude Bellingham has lived with pain every time he stepped onto the field, always alleviated by a kinesiology tape armor. Spanish media reports indicate that the midfielder grew tired of reactive measures and sought to address the root cause after Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup.