Real Madrid’s $180m gamble as new Alonso era kicks off at home

The Bernabéu welcomes back Real Madrid today after 87 days without official action. In that time, the club has gone through a Club World Cup, a change on the bench, the departures of Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez, and the arrival of four reinforcements: Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Álvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono. The Madrid faithful will watch closely – and with plenty of excitement – as these new faces make their first appearances under very different circumstances...

Huijsen, pulling the strings

The most expensive defender in the club’s history ($63m) has been impressing since the Club World Cup with his ability to play out from the back, both short and long. In just two months, Dean Huijsen has become one of the most influential players in Madrid’s buildup, often the one who touches the ball the most over 90 minutes. In Innsbruck he surpassed 100 passes again (109) with 94% accuracy. Defensively, however, questions remain.

In the US he formed an uneven pairing with Antonio Rüdiger, and now he must find his rhythm alongside the returning Éder Militão. He looks like a defender for the ages – but in Madrid, under the unforgiving gaze of the Bernabéu, that is always a high-risk profession.

A test for Trent

Then there’s Alexander-Arnold, who faces the massive influence and popularity of Dani Carvajal among Madrid fans. Pressure both on the field and in the stands. No one needs to explain the Bernabéu to him – he’s suffered there plenty with Liverpool: three visits as a Red full-back, three defeats. Now in white, he’s easing in slowly. He carries the weight of a high-profile, hard-fought signing and is currently sharper than Carvajal, but he will have to defend his reputation tooth and nail.

Carreras, built for the long haul

The left-back is another big investment in the Huijsen mold. A high fee ($54m), but with the intention of anchoring the position for the next decade. Álvaro Carreras took a winding path – from Madrid’s academy to Manchester, Granada and Lisbon – before finally arriving at this defining moment.

After featuring in friendlies against Leganés and WSG Tirol, he will make his official Bernabéu debut tonight. The left-back spot has long been a headache (Ferland Mendy’s injuries, lack of faith in Fran García, makeshift solutions with Eduardo Camavinga), and Carreras now appears the ideal antidote.

Mastantuono brings the thrill

If there’s one signing the Bernabéu is desperate to see, it’s the young Argentine. Huge anticipation surrounds the left foot of a teenager who today marks just his fifth day as a Madrid player. But Mastantuono has made a habit of skipping the usual steps for someone his age. He has a strong chance of getting minutes against Osasuna.

He will start on the bench, but with Jude Bellingham absent and Rodrygo in flux, he is in direct competition with Brahim Díaz, who looks set for a temporary starting role. “Franco will adapt very quickly,” Xabi Alonso predicted yesterday. Not just words – he wants him on the pitch as soon as possible.

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