Xabi Alonso decides shock Real Madrid player is 'untouchable' and it's not Jude Bellingham or Kylian Mbappe

A Real Madrid star has now reached an "untouchable" level going into the first season under Xabi Alonso's tutelage, it has emerged.

On Sunday, former Los Blancos midfielder Alonso was officially confirmed as Real's new manager - replacing Carlo Ancelotti after he signed a deal to manage the Brazil national team.

Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to an undefeated and triumphant Bundesliga title victory in 2024, had been the obvious choice to take the Real job and has been tasked with returning them to their usual level after disappointment in La Liga and the Champions League.

Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr are all likely to be integral to Alonso's plans, while he also has Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold as new additions in his first season in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But according to MARCA, another Real star is set for a key role and his status within the squad and club has improved considerably.

Aurelien Tchouameni joined Real from Monaco for a fee of £85 million in 2022 and has gone on to make 140 appearances.

Tchouameni has become a key player for Real. Image: Getty

The France international has played in midfield and in central defence for Real but did have a hard time from sections of the club's supporters on occasion.

However, it's said Tchouameni is now well valued by the club, who have been impressed by the way in which he has bounced back from the difficult period he experienced and won the Player of the Month award for displays in April.

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Tchouameni has grown in importance and the same can be said for Federico Valverde, who is one of the first names on the teamsheet and embodies everything Real are about with his work ethic and mentality.

There was a time where 20-year old Arda Guler struggled to get a look in the side but the Turkey international's performances at the back-end of the season have convinced Real's top brass that he is now considered "untouchable" and more than ready to be counted on - starting with the upcoming Club World Cup.

Real are competing in the revamped tournament in the United States next month and Tchouameni is desperate to add the silverware, commenting: "We're going to work hard and give it our all because I think it's going to be a very important moment for the club."