Real Madrid have officially confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new coach. In this regard, his project is already starting to take shape with strategic signings aimed at rejuvenating and strengthening the squad.
One of the first signings has been Dean Huijsen, the young Dutch center-back who played for Bournemouth. Madrid have finalized his signing, and he won't be the only one. They have also made Trent Alexander-Arnold official.
Additionally, Álvaro Carreras, Benfica's left-back, has also been linked with Los Blancos. Xabi Alonso's revolution has begun.
The challenge of finding the new Kroos
In addition to shoring up the defense, one of Xabi Alonso's main goals is to find Toni Kroos's successor. The German retired at the end of last season, leaving a huge gap in Madrid's engine room. His vision, passing ability, and composure in midfield are qualities Xabi wants to replicate in his new project.
That's why the Basque coach is asking the Madrid board to sign a playmaking midfielder, a player capable of controlling the tempo of the match. In other words, he's looking for a new brain for his team. It seems he already has a very clear favorite for that role.
Angelo Stiller, the chosen one for the midfield
According to "El Nacional," Xabi Alonso's main target to fill that vacancy is Angelo Stiller, the German midfielder from Stuttgart. This season, he has been one of the revelations of the Bundesliga, with a campaign in which he played 47 matches, scored 4 goals, and provided 11 assists. His vision and technical quality make him the ideal profile for what Xabi is looking for.
Stiller stands out not only for his offensive output but also for his tactical intelligence and his ability to position himself correctly on the field. He is a footballer who knows when to speed up, when to slow down, and how to connect with all the team's lines. This is exactly what Alonso's new Madrid need after Kroos's retirement.
An opportunity that slipped away from Barça
The curious thing is that Angelo Stiller had already been on Barça's radar. According to "El Nacional," Hansi Flick, when he arrived on the culé bench, already had the German midfielder on his list of desired players. He knew him perfectly from his time in German soccer and believed he had the potential to stand out at Barça.
However, the blaugrana club didn't value him last summer, and now it seems their eternal rival will benefit from his talent. Angelo Stiller could be one of those signings that, over time, make a key difference in the league.