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5 Real Madrid Players Unhappy With Xabi Alonso

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It was all change in the Spanish capital over the summer for Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti, who oversaw 234 matches across his second spell in charge of Los Blancos, moved onto pastures new. Xabi Alonso, who had previously worked his magic in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, replaced the wily Italian – but there are five players reportedly unhappy with the new boss.

As things stand, 12 matches into the 2025/26 campaign, Alonso’s men are sat top of La Liga and three points ahead of their arch-rivals, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. In fact, Alonso’s maiden four months have gone pretty swimmingly, it must be said, with him winning 10, drawing just once and losing the same number of matches in the Spanish top flight.

In the Champions League, it’s been pretty smooth too. Looking past their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield recently, the record winners of the competition – who continued to be spearheaded by the in-form Kylian Mbappe – have won three of their four matches. But Alonso’s methods have not been well received by all members of his star-studded squad, it has been reported.

La Liga Top Four – As of 12/11/2025

Position

Team

Played

W/D/L

Points

1.

Real Madrid

12

10/1/1

31

2.

Barcelona

12

9/1/2

28

3.

Villarreal

12

8/2/2

26

4.

Atletico Madrid

12

7/4/1

25

Five Players Reportedly Unhappy with Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts

Succeeding such a legendary figure in Ancelotti is no easy feat, but Alonso’s pedigree as a classy, albeit inexperienced, manager – combined with his terrific results thus far – would, from the outside looking in, excite those that work with him on a day-to-day basis. That is far from the case, however, and Real’s recent result has uncovered some true feelings.

Last weekend, the Spanish juggernauts dropped points on the road in a goalless draw with 0-0 Rayo Vallecano – and that was despite Alonso fielding a team capable of returning to the capital after picking up all three points at a relative canter. The midfielder-turned-manager urged his side to “keep growing, improving and engaging in positive self-reflection” after the match. “We were ready for a demanding game. It’s always been hard for us [in Vallecas]. Rayo ask a lot of you. They take you to a place where the games have a frenetic rhythm,” he said.

According to popular Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, after sharing the spoils with their city rivals, there are a quintet of players who are all struggling to come to terms with Alonso’s style of management – and that includes goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the fleet-footed Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, the club’s talismanic presence in midfield. Journalist Mario Caledron wrote:

“It was clear that several players, such as Vinicius Jr, [Jude] Bellingham and [Thibaut] Courtois, weren’t entirely happy with the coach’s decisions regarding playing the ball out from the back.”

vinicius jr

With the scoreline poised at 0-0 and Los Blancos pushing to open and close the scoring, the above triumvirate were unconvinced by his set-up. Caledron continued, “Others, like Fede Valverde and [Eduardo] Camavinga, who haven’t secured a regular starting spot and move around to different positions, also seem disconnected from Xabi Alonso.”

Why many in the Real squad are unhappy with Alonso’s methods is because the Spaniard – widely regarded as one of the best young managers in world football – has set the cat among the pigeons in training. He is, according to Caledron, much more ‘demanding’ of his players compared to Ancelotti at the club’s training base.

The aforementioned report has claimed that he is doing everything in his power to control the sessions by using an array of methods – including the use of video analysis, drones and in-depth tactical work – to ensure that his men are in tip-top condition when they eventually take to the grass in La Liga and Champions League fixtures.

Some players, though, have a preference for the much-looser approach of Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane – two former managers who saw their relatively chilled attitudes result in the Champions League success. Up next for La Liga’s league leaders, following the international break, is a trip to 11th-placed Elche as they look to get back to winning ways domestically.

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Man Utd Could Save £100m by Reintegrating Marcus Rashford

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Manchester United could save themselves over £100m in the summer transfer window after an update emerged from Fabrizio Romano.

It’s been a busy summer transfer window for the Red Devils as they look to improve their squad in order to prepare for a season in the Champions League.

The main focus has been on looking to bring in new midfielders, but there’s no doubt they could also be aiming to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

Competing in the Champions League is a huge boost for the Red Devils, but it also means they need a bigger and more competitive squad.

United were without the distraction of European football last season, which undoubtedly helped Michael Carrick to turn things back in the right direction.


Michael Carrick


Alongside Ederson: Midfielder Travels to Complete Man Utd Medical

Man Utd are in the market for midfielders this summer.

Man Utd Could Save £100m+

Morgan Rogers Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window, with the Midlands club demanding over £100m to allow him to depart.

The Red Devils are clearly looking to strengthen in the forward line, not just in midfield, with Rogers one of the reported targets.

Despite that, United could save themselves over £100m after a recent claim by Italian journalist Romano.

The respected reporter has suggested that United have held talks with Marcus Rashford, and they are now open to welcoming him back to training to start pre-season with Carrick.

There’s no guarantee that he will remain at the club, but it appears the doors have been opened for him to reintegrate back into the senior squad.

This could save United millions if they bring Rashford back into the fold as an option on the left-hand side of attack rather than splashing out on Rogers.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Rashford Could Explode Under Carrick

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

With the style that Carrick has looked to implement at Old Trafford, Rashford could be an ideal player for his system.

The England international is deadly in transition, and United have looked to play counter-attacking football under Carrick in his short period in charge.

United already have Matheus Cunha, who plays on the left-hand side, so there’s no need for them to splash out on someone like Rogers, especially when they can reintegrate Rashford.

The former Barcelona loanee could explode under Carrick, and if they are struggling to offload him this summer, it makes sense to give him another opportunity under the new manager.

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Tottenham’s Decision on Mikey Moore Amid Rangers Interest

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Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has made a decision on the future of young winger Mikey Moore amid interest from Scottish Premiership side Rangers.

Moore spent the 25-26 season on loan at Rangers, playing 47 times across all competitions, even winning the Scottish Premiership Young Player of the Season award.

The 18-year-old scored seven times and created four goals for the Scottish club, making a real impact at a young age.

Understandably, Rangers have been showing an interest in signing him once again, with a report suggesting that they’d hoped to secure his signature on loan for another season.

Mikey Moore will return to Tottenham ahead of pre-season, when Spurs will then have a decision to make on his next steps in his development.


Sandro Tonali applauding the Newcastle United supporters


Tottenham Make New Move To Complete Statement Sandro Tonali Signing

Tottenham are getting closer to making a statement signing

Tottenham: Mikey Moore Decision Made

Mikey Moore in action for Tottenham Hotspur

According to a report from Football London writer Alasdair Gold, Tottenham manager De Zerbi wants to take a close look at Moore during pre-season. The club have no interest in letting him leave permanently this summer.

A number of clubs from the United Kingdom and across Europe are taking a look at Moore, keen on either signing him permanently or on loan in the summer transfer window.

De Zerbi will later make a decision on the future of Moore. He’ll decide whether to send him out on loan for at least the first half of the campaign, with Tottenham having a lack of fixtures due to no European football.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Tottenham Must Put Mikey Moore First

Mikey Moore reacts during Rangers' match against AS Roma

When making a decision on the future of Moore, Tottenham need to ensure they have his best interests at heart.

Keeping the young winger around as a squad player would likely be beneficial to De Zerbi, giving him an additional option in attack.

His development might be best served elsewhere, allowing him to play regular minutes at a senior level.

If Moore stays at Spurs heading into the new season, he is unlikely to be a guaranteed starter, which could hinder his development going forward.

Moore already has a taste of regular senior football with Rangers, and it could be tempting for him to go elsewhere and play football on loan for the season.

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‘Real Reason’ Why Van Dijk Didn’t Take Penalty vs Morocco

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk came in for heavy criticism after the Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties against Morocco.

Ronald Koeman’s men looked set to reach the Round of 16 when Cody Gakpo struck in the 72nd minute to put the Dutch in front. The Moroccans equalised right at the death courtesy of a superb header from Issa Diop in the 90+1st minute.

The two countries couldn’t be separated after extra-time and the game headed to a penalty shootout. Van Dijk didn’t take a penalty and watched his nation fall to a 3-2 shootout defeat at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico.

Van Dijk Opted Not to Take Penalty vs Morocco

Virgil van Dijk argues with Morocco players at the 2026 World Cup Pro Shots/Sipa USA via Reuters

Van Dijk often has no issue stepping up and taking a penalty, and he’s done just that throughout his Liverpool career. He famously scored an ice-cool spot-kick in the Reds’ Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea in 2022.

Many expected to see the Netherlands skipper try to keep his nation in the World Cup after Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber missed from the spot. West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville instead took Oranje’s fifth penalty.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Summerville’s effort and sent Koeman’s side packing. A disastrous outcome for Van Dijk, whose country was eliminated in the first knockout round.

According to De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen, Van Dijk “stepped aside” and let Summerville take the final penalty despite the West Ham man suffering from cramps. That decision hasn’t gone down well in his homeland, and his international future has been cast into doubt.

The 34-year-old has been a mainstay in the Netherlands’ team throughout the years, earning his 96th cap in the defeat to Morocco. He played every single minute of his nation’s World Cup campaign, including scoring in a 2-2 draw against Japan and assisting in a 3-1 win over Tunisia.

Van Dijk Told he ‘Betrayed’ Netherlands

Virgil van Dijk in action for the Netherlands at the World Cup Pawel Andrachiewicz/PressFocus via Reuters

Van Dijk defended Koeman’s tactical setup after the game, despite his team having just 30% possession. He told reporters:

“I think we were well organised defensively. They basically couldn’t find the open man between the lines. So the game plan worked, of course. I think we scored a good goal. Ultimately, in injury time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties; unfortunately, we get knocked out.”

Despite this, the Dutch media have placed the blame for the Netherlands’ early exit on Van Dijk and Koeman, suggesting the national team must move on from the pair. They even go as far as to suggest that the duo “betrayed everything our national football stands for.”

That was Driessen’s verdict following the loss to Morocco, and he believes the Liverpool centre-back has “had his time.” He reckons Koeman’s successor won’t need to visit Merseyside to try and persuade Van Dijk to continue his international career to Euro 2028 because “it’s time for a breath of fresh air and a fresh start” without him.

Van Dijk has often been called out by Dutch media and pundits during his international career. Marco van Basten took a swipe at the Liverpool star back in 2023, questioning his leadership abilities.

While he is undoubtedly one of the greatest defenders of his generation, some evidently feel he doesn’t possess the qualities required of a captain. His decision not to step up during the penalty shootout has stirred up debate not only about his captaincy credentials but also about whether he should continue with his national team.

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