Xabi Alonso is facing the threat of a potential dressing-room split just months after taking charge at Real Madrid, as the Spanish giants hit a disappointing run of form.
After making a strong start to La Liga, Madrid have stuttered in recent weeks, drawing three games in a row, including a 1-1 draw against Girona on Sunday.
Those dropped points saw them surrender top spot to reigning champions Barcelona and have increased the pressure on Alonso, who was only appointed in June.
Ahead of Wednesday's trip to Bilbao to face Athletic Club, Alonso insisted he had 'positive' talks with club president Florentino Perez about turning results around.
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But with performances worsening, reports have emerged suggesting there is growing tension inside the Real Madrid dressing room.
According to Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE, there may be as many as six players who are “unhappy” with Alonso’s management.
That group reportedly includes Fede Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Endrick and Ferland Mendy.
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The report also mentions Eduardo Camavinga being 'confused' about his role in the squad, with the Frenchman receiving less game time than expected.
Vinicius Jr is the biggest name said to be part of the group frustrated with Alonso.
The Brazilian has struggled to adapt to not being the main attacking focus this season, with Kylian Mbappe starring instead.
The Frenchman is currently one of the most in-form players in Europe and has scored 23 goals in 19 games for Real Madrid this season.
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Meanwhile, Vinicius has just five in the same number of matches.
Although the Brazilian winger has failed to hit the same heights as previous seasons, he remains one of the most valuable players in the world.
His current deal at the Bernabeu runs until the summer of 2027 and Madrid opened negotiations with his camp at the end of last season.
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According to The Athletic, he was offered £17.5 million per year, but his representatives want close to £26 million.
The report added that Vinicius Jr has no intention of renewing his contract while his relationship with Alonso remains strained.
Despite that, Cope report that a separate camp of players remain firmly committed to the manager.
That group include Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Thibaut Courtois, Arda Guler and Mbappe.
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Huijsen and Carreras both signed in the summer as part of Madrid's defensive overhaul, while Courtois, Guler and Mbappe have established themselves as consistent performers early in Alonso's tenure.
The situation involving Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold is unclear, but there were recent reports of a fractious relationship with Bellingham.
Alonso dismissed those claims, stressing the importance of helping the midfielder rediscover his best form ahead of Wednesday's match.
Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, La Liga, Vinicius Jr, Football, Kylian Mbappe
James Taylor