WORLD CUP DREAM: WHY REAL MADRID WON'T STOP ENDRICK'S CRUCIAL LYON LOAN
The Endrick loan to Lyon is going ahead as planned despite Alonso's imminent threat of being fired, as Real Madrid prioritises the youngster's development.
Real Madrid might let Xabi Alonso go as early as next week because the team hasn't played well since the 2025-26 season started. Since he came from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, the former player hasn't been able to get his players to play their best. Because of this, he might lose his job if Real Madrid loses any of their three games before the winter break.
Some players are said to be not happy with Alonso, including Endrick Felipe. If Alonso leaves, this could be good news for them. Since coming back from an injury, the young player hasn't played much. Gonzalo Garcia has been picked over him to back up Kylian Mbappe as a striker.
Because of this, they decided to loan him to Lyon, and the loan will start when the winter transfer window opens. People have wondered if this could be undone if Alonso leaves, but Diario AS says that the Brazil international will still leave the Bernabeu in January.
Real Madrid likes how the Endrick loan deal is set up.
Real Madrid thinks that going to Lyon for a short time will be good for Endrick. He needs to play a lot so he can be sure to be on Brazil's team for the World Cup next summer. People think this deal will help everyone involved, so they don't want to undo it even if Alonso leaves. Alonso thinks the 19-year-old is more of a player who moves around than one who stays in the box.
Endrick won't play in La Liga again this season because he is suspended for the next two games against Alaves and Sevilla. He might play in the Copa del Rey during the week, which would be his last game for Real Madrid before joining Lyon in early January.
MUST-WIN: KYLIAN MBAPPE RETURNS AS XABI ALONSO FACES REAL MADRID FUTURE DECIDER VS ALAVES
Xabi Alonso's job hinges on the Alaves result. With eight players out, the return of Kylian Mbappé is the only relief in a squad plagued by injuries and leadership questions.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe is ready to play against Alaves this coming Sunday night. Many think this game could decide Alonso’s future with the team. Real Madrid will go to Vitoria-Gasteiz missing at least eight players.
Mbappe is the guy Alonso is happiest to have back after he sat out the match against Manchester City. He practiced like normal this Saturday.
“He’s good to go. “We’ll make a choice tomorrow, but it’s great to have him back,” said Alonso.
More players out for Real Madrid
Alonso didn’t say anything about Fede Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, or Dean Huijsen, who are also questionable. Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, and Endrick Felipe are out because they got red cards against Celta Vigo.
“We have three players suspended; that's part of the game. We don’t have many players available, so we added some Castilla players to the squad. They always come through. We'll go with who's ready for tomorrow.”
After Real Madrid’s loss to Manchester City, Karim Benzema said that his old team was missing teamwork and leadership. Alonso said that the current problems could be a good thing if they get through them.
“We’re together every day in the locker room. We’ve had good times and bad times. We think we can get better if we get through these tough times and turn things around. Maybe later we’ll look back and see how hard it was, but here we are. Karim has the experience to make those calls.”
Alvaro Arbeloa: The next Real Madrid coach?
Alonso was asked a lot about his future. Local news has said that if he gets fired, Castilla coach and his friend Alvaro Arbeloa might take over. They were seen talking at Real Madrid’s training ground, but Alonso said it wasn’t a handover.
“Alvaro could be Real Madrid’s coach someday. He’s doing great. We talked about which players might join the first team. But we didn’t talk about me leaving at all.”
ANTONIO RUDIGER PAIN: ANALYZING HOW ALONSO CAN FIELD A DEFENSE WITH ONLY RAUL ASENCIO
Real Madrid faces an unprecedented crisis with up to 11 players out, including a new doubt about Antonio Rudiger. Xabi Alonso may have only one senior centre-back fit for the Alaves clash.
Real Madrid has another injury problem, this time with Antonio Rudiger. COPE says the German defender is feeling pain and might not play against Alaves.
This is bad timing for Xabi Alonso. His team is already small, and the thought of losing one of their best defenders is making people worry about how Madrid will even have a defence.
Right now, it looks like Los Blancos will play this game with a lot of players missing.
Big Trouble for Xabi Alonso
Alonso could be without 11 players. That number might get even bigger, depending on what happens.
First, Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, and Endrick are suspended, so they definitely can't play.
The injury list is worse. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out.
Plus, Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, and Dean Huijsen are also questionable. They're hurt and might not be ready for the Alaves game.
If Huijsen can't play, Real Madrid will only have Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger as available defenders.
But now it seems like Rudiger himself is hurt, so Alonso might only have one healthy defender for the La Liga game.
Some Good News
The good news is that Huijsen is back in practice. This could help the defence.
But is the young Spaniard ready to play? Can he handle a tough game with so much pressure?
Things are getting risky for Real Madrid. With a busy schedule and important games coming up, Alonso's team is being tested to the limit.