Xabi Alonso's era at Real Madrid has begun with excitement, but also with nuances. The Basque coach has arrived on the white bench with prestige, leadership, and personality. However, not everything is going as desired in the early stages of this new chapter.
The club's top management values his style and his connection with the fans, but the first divergences are starting to emerge. Although for now they appear to be simple differences of opinion, the truth is that there are recent decisions that are generating some discomfort in the offices at Bernabéu.
The signing Xabi doesn't see as necessary
The first friction has a name: Rodri Hernández. The Manchester City midfielder is an obsession for Florentino Pérez.
The president considers him the best holding midfielder in the world. He wants to make him the new axis of Madrid, a top-tier signing for the midfield, the new Toni Kroos.
But Xabi Alonso doesn't see it so clearly. Despite the player's undeniable level, the coach believes the signing is not a priority.
He thinks he already has enough pieces for that position. He believes it's not necessary to spend a fortune when there are more affordable and younger alternatives with potential.
This difference has created tension. Florentino isn't used to having his strategic bets questioned, especially not with such a high-profile player as Rodri. Although nothing has broken, the club already perceives a certain distance between the two.
Endrick, another apple of discord
The second point of conflict is Endrick. The young Brazilian demanded an investment of 60 million euros. This was a personal bet by Florentino, who imagined him as the "white Lamine Yamal," a precocious gem destined to lead the club's future.
However, Xabi Alonso has other plans. His idea is for the forward to get minutes at another club before making the definitive leap to the first team. He believes Endrick needs time, maturity, and experience before he can handle the pressure of wearing Madrid's jersey every week.
Florentino doesn't agree. He believes that loaning Endrick out would be a mistake that could hinder his development.
He thinks that, after the financial effort, Endrick must immediately integrate into the first team's dynamics. Loaning him out would be admitting that he's not ready yet, and that deeply irritates him.
Differences that don't go unnoticed
Outwardly, everything seems in order. But internally, these differences have already been noticed. In Valdebebas, people talk about a relationship that is still cordial, but in a phase of adjustment.
Xabi Alonso has arrived to impose his vision. Florentino isn't used to being contradicted.
Time will tell whether these clashes are simple adjustments or the beginning of something deeper. For now, what is clear is that the idyll is not complete.