Real Madrid Set Their Sights on Rodri: A Strategic Move to Rebuild the Midfield Under Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid may have already bolstered their squad with four new signings this summer, but behind the scenes, the club’s leadership continues working to address one of their most persistent structural weaknesses: the lack of a commanding and consistent defensive midfielder.
Now, with Xabi Alonso preparing for his first campaign as head coach, Real Madrid are prioritizing a role he himself once mastered — the pivot at the base of midfield. The objective is clear: to bring stability, intelligence, and physical dominance to an area of the pitch that often left the team exposed last season.
Current Midfield Puzzle: No Fixed Solution Yet
Over the past two seasons, Real Madrid have experimented with a rotating cast in the No. 6 role. Players like Aurélien Tchouaméni (the designated successor to Casemiro), Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos have all featured there, but none have offered the consistency, leadership, or tactical balance the club demands — especially in big Champions League nights where control is everything.
Tchouaméni has struggled with injuries and positional awareness, Camavinga often seems more natural in a box-to-box or hybrid fullback role, and Ceballos has failed to convince with his performances under pressure. The result has been a midfield that can be technically brilliant but occasionally tactically fragile.
Enter Rodri Hernández — Madrid’s Ideal Candidate
According to Diario AS, the name at the top of Madrid’s wish list is Rodri Hernández, the backbone of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and arguably the best holding midfielder in the world when fully fit. Known for his elite positioning, composure under pressure, physical strength, and long-range passing, Rodri is seen as a player who could instantly elevate Madrid’s midfield and provide the tactical security Alonso craves.
However, Rodri is just returning from a serious ACL injury that kept him out for nearly a full season. He made his comeback during the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid’s scouting team reportedly assessed his performance live. The verdict: cautious optimism. If Rodri regains his best form in the 2025/26 season and does not renew his contract with Manchester City, Madrid are expected to launch a serious bid in 2026 — when his contract will be entering its final year.
In that scenario, Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez believe they could strike a smart deal for a reduced fee, rather than paying the typical €100M+ sum associated with top-tier midfielders.
Financial Logic Meets Football Intelligence
Unlike other linked players such as Nicolò Barella, Enzo Fernández, or Alexis Mac Allister — all of whom are valued well above €100 million — Rodri could be both a sporting and financial coup. His potential price drop in 2026, combined with his La Liga background and Spanish nationality, make him an attractive, low-risk, high-reward target.
Madrid’s reluctance to overspend, especially after significant investments in attacking talents like Mbappé and Endrick, means that any further additions must be both strategic and sustainable. Rodri fits that bill perfectly — especially for a manager like Alonso, who is expected to bring tactical structure and discipline to a squad full of flair.
Alonso’s Tactical Vision Hinges on the Pivot Role
As a former deep-lying playmaker, Alonso understands better than most the importance of having a midfield general who can shield the defense, dictate the tempo, and orchestrate transitions. Without a world-class No. 6, his system may lack the balance and control it needs to flourish.
Rodri, with his Guardiola-shaped football IQ and Champions League-winning experience, represents the ultimate Alonso-style midfielder. He would bring order to chaos, acting as a metronome in possession and a wall without the ball.
Final Take: A Statement Signing in the Making?
If Real Madrid manage to land Rodri in 2026, it could go down as one of the most intelligent and transformative transfers of the Alonso era — not just a short-term fix, but a long-term pillar for the club’s future. With La Liga rivals like Barcelona rebuilding too, every decision at the Bernabéu carries weight.
Rodri isn’t just a target. He’s a statement: Madrid mean business in the post-Kroos, post-Modrić era.
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