Xabi Alonso picks his starting team for Real Madrid next season and huge player has been axed

Xabi Alonso has picked his preferred starting XI as Real Madrid manager, it has been reported - and one huge name has been left out.

Alonso took his first training session as Los Blancos boss on Monday, having been officially appointed on May 25 to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

The Spaniard only had four fully-fit players to work with at the club's training ground, with nine youth team players called up to make up the numbers.

They were put through what was described by Marca as a 'world test' to prepare them for potentially being involved in the Club World Cup squad.

Alonso is in the unique position of having to deal with a competitive summer tournament as his first assignment as a club manager, and as such has had to make some quick decisions about some of his players.

According to Spanish outlet El Larguero, the Spaniard already has an idea of what he wants his preferred starting XI to look like this season.

New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are both included, as well as Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras, who is closing in on a move back to his former academy club.

But the major surprise is that midfielder Franco Mastantuono, 17, is in the reported XI that Alonso prefers.

The Argentina youth international is closing in on a €45 million move to Real from River Plate, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He cannot officially join the club until he turns 18 on August 14, meaning he would likely miss at least the opening round of the La Liga season.

Image: Twitter/@FabrizioRomano

Thibaut Courtois, unsurprisingly, keeps his place in goal, with either Eder Militao or Antonio Rudiger partnering former Bournemouth defender Huijsen at centre-back.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde will operate in a two-man defensive midfield, with Mastantuono and Jude Bellingham playing centrally further forward.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, meanwhile, will play in a two-man attack.

That leaves no room for Brazil winger Rodrygo, who was a regular starter on the right side of attack under previous boss Ancelotti.

But the 24-year-old, who scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer, with Arsenal among the clubs to be credited with an interest in signing him.

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