Xabi Alonso’s caution to Real Madrid players: Even Kylian Mbappe is at risk.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has sent a warning to his players, making it clear what he expects from them and telling them that anyone who does not reach his standards will be dropped.

Alonso only took command of the Bernabeu side from Carlo Ancelotti on 1 June, but he is already gearing up for his first competitive action at the Club World Cup.

New signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold are set to go straight into the starting XI at the competition, where the Real Madrid boss expects to see a change of attitude from his team.

‘No messing around’

Cadena SER journalist Javier Herraez confirmed that he has been told by club sources: “I can assure you that whoever doesn’t run and doesn’t make an effort is not going to play – no matter what their name is.

“If you skip a run, that’s a yellow card. Do it again, and you get a red. With Xabi Alonso – and you guys know him – there’s no messing around.

“If you save yourself from making pointless runs… that’s another thing. It’s not like you have to run like a defender, but you will have to press the centre-back the whole time.

“It’s not going to work for you to just stand there waiting for something to be given to you so you can kick it in. You’re going to have to run for every ball.”

The Alonso era gets underway against Al-Hilal before clashes against Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg close out the group stage for Real Madrid.

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