Real Madrid Has To Cut One Of These Players

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has to decide which of his strikers to cut, while the first team also needs to christen a new number 9.

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Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has to decide which of his strikers to cut, while the first team also needs to christen a new number 9.

Kylian Mbappe of course donned the jersey last season under the now-departed Carlo Ancelotti, who has since taken over as the manager of the Brazil national team.

This choice of shirt was much inspired by the Frenchman playing a central striker role, which helped him win Europe’s Golden Boot trophy for the top scorer in all competitions despite Madrid going without major silverware in his maiden season at the Bernabeu.

That latter turn of events had much to do with Ancelotti departing for South America and President Florentino Perez bringing in Alonso.

At the Club World Cup, he wasn’t able to pick Mbappe right away because of a bout of gastritis suffered in the United States. With Endrick injured as well and unable to step up to the occasion, this granted Gonzalo Garcia a golden opportunity to impress.

It was one that the youngster took with both hands, scoring a number of goals at the FIFA tournament including important winners against the likes of Juventus.

Once Mbappe returned to fitness, Alonso tried to filed all of him, Vinicius and Gonzalo in an attacking trident.

And though that didn’t quite work out with Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain thrashing Madrid 4-0 in a one-sided semifinal, Alonso certainly has something to think about.

In his 4-4-2, it is likely to be Vinicius that partners Mbappe up front. But with that in mind, there’ll probably only be room for one youngster between Endrick and Gonzalo.

Endrick, who arrived in the same summer window as Mbappe last year from Palmeiras, has often been linked to a loan move in Spain or abroad.

According to Mundo Deportivo, however, Endrick’s entourage has already told Madrid that he does not intend to leave the club temporarily, while boasting belief in his abilities and of being able to convince Alonso of his worth.

Gonzalo on the other hand has interest from a number of suitors in the Premier League but also doesn’t want to leave at the moment either on loan or through a sale where Madrid would have the right to buy him back. In short, Alonso has a big decision to make, between the Spaniard or the Brazilian.

The number 9 shirt is free at Real Madrid

With Mbappe taking the number 10 shirt from Luka Modric, the 9 is now free at Real Madrid. Perhaps one of Endrick or Gonzalo could take it, depending on who sticks around in the Spanish capital.