Real Madrid Unveil New Head Coach Signing Xabi Alonso
New Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)
New Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso intends to keep ‘spectacular’ Rodrygo at the club amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Rodrygo, 24, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in recent weeks.
The Brazilian made another 51 appearances for Real Madrid this season to take his overall tally to 267 since his move from Santos in 2019.
Rodrygo has been one of the most consistent wingers in Europe over the past three seasons and talk of a summer move has sparked interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen in the wide attacking positions this summer after Arsenal were forced to settle for a third successive second-place finish in the Premier League and went a fifth consecutive season without a trophy.
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Rodrygo is believed to be Arsenal’s ‘dream’ target but the numbers involved in such a deal means the Gunners are also looking at Kaoru Mitoma and Bryan Mbeumo as cheaper alternatives.
Chelsea are also admirers of Rodrygo and intend to bolster Enzo Maresca’s squad after he took the Blues back into the Champions League with a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Copa del Rey Final
Rodrygo has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
New Real Madrid boss Alonso, speaking at his official unveiling at the Bernabeu, suggested he would be relying heavily on Rodrygo next season.
‘Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player,’ the former Bayer Leverkusen manager said. ‘He is a spectacular player and we will need him.’
Real Madrid appointed former Los Blancos and Liverpool midfielder Alonso as their new manager following the departure of club legend Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti left the Bernabeu to take charge of the Brazil men’s national team ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Southampton FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of the Real Madrid star (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid struggled in Ancelotti’s final season at the club, losing the La Liga title to arch-rivals Barcelona and losing to the same opposition in the Copa del Rey final.
Ancelotti’s side were thumped by Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
‘It’s the start of an era,’ Alonso added.
‘The Real Madrid fans are excited to begin this new era, to grow, and to make the history of this club even greater.
Real Madrid CF v Real Sociedad - La Liga EA Sports
Ex-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s a special day. It’s a day I will have marked in my calendar for life. I am very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home.
‘We have fantastic players, we have a team that has a lot of potential, [capable of] a very good present and a very good future.
‘That gives me a lot of reason to come here with a lot of energy and a lot of hope that I can get the best out of all the players and build a great team.
‘[I have] the conviction that we can achieve big things, worthy of Real Madrid, worthy of all these European Cups, of all these accomplishments made over so many years.
‘I want a team that transmits emotion, energy, ambitious play and connects with the fans.’
Alonso also paid tribute to Ancelotti, who won three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles across two spells at Real Madrid.
‘Carlo was my coach, a great person and a huge influence,’ Alonso said. ‘Without his mastery, I probably wouldn’t be here.
‘I take over and carry on his legacy with great honour and pride.’
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