With Xabi Alonso's arrival on Real Madrid's bench, changes haven't taken long to appear. The Basque coach has started to set his style, and along the way, some players have already begun to pay the price.
Dani Ceballos has been the first to fall in this kind of "silent clean-up," but he's not alone. Brahim Díaz and Eduardo Camavinga also seem to have lost importance in the coach's new roadmap. Three names, one fate: the bench.
Ceballos, the first to fall
Dani Ceballos hasn't managed to convince Alonso. Opportunities have been scarce and, when he's been on the field, he hasn't made an impact. The Andalusian midfielder doesn't quite fit into the coach's system, which prioritizes intensity, tactical awareness, and dynamism.
Although his quality isn't in question, quick pace and fast decision-making aren't exactly Ceballos's strengths. That, in Xabi's system, matters a lot.
The board is already considering a possible departure if the situation doesn't improve in the coming months. It won't be a forced sale, but it is a likely scenario.
Brahim Díaz: from hero to substitute
Brahim Díaz was key in some stretches of last season. However, his role has been reduced to a minimum since the new coach's arrival. During the Club World Cup, he only played 103 min., and always as a substitute, never as a starter.
The competition is fierce and, what's worse: Franco Mastantuono, a young Argentine talent who plays in the same position, will soon arrive. The message is clear: either he steps up, or he'll find himself relegated to the bottom of the bench. The margin for error is minimal.
Camavinga, the big unknown
Camavinga's case is different, but no less concerning. The Frenchman is still recovering from an injury, but meanwhile, his place on the field has been taken by others.
Güler has tried as an interior, Bellingham further forward, and Valverde has shown his usual versatility. Even Tchouaméni has alternated between center back and defensive midfielder with great reliability. This leaves Camavinga in a delicate situation.
Although in theory he should be a key piece, the lack of continuity and the emergence of alternatives put his role in doubt. Returning from injury won't be enough; he'll have to prove he fits into this new version of Madrid.
A Madrid under reconstruction
Xabi Alonso is doing what any coach would do: shape the team to his liking. That means tough decisions, sacrifices, and the occasional surprise.
Ceballos, Brahim, and Camavinga are the first victims, but they might not be the only ones. Real Madrid is starting a new era, and in it, not everyone has a guaranteed place. The message is clear: no one has a guaranteed spot, not even those who, just a few months ago, seemed untouchable.