Xabi Alonso Concerned About Real Madrid’s Reliance on Mbappe for Goals – Reports

In what could be an early but crucial adjustment to Real Madrid’s tactical blueprint under new head coach Xabi Alonso, reports emerging from Spain suggest that the former midfield maestro is concerned about Los Blancos’ growing reliance on Kylian Mbappe for goals.

Mbappe, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu with high expectations, has already lived up to much of the hype in terms of numbers. The French forward netted 43 times in just 56 appearances across all competitions last season—contributing to over 30% of Real Madrid’s total goals. That’s an incredible individual achievement, but for Alonso, it represents a structural vulnerability.

Marca reports that Alonso has expressed these concerns internally with his technical staff. The Spanish tactician is reportedly aiming to create a more collectively efficient attacking unit that does not rely so heavily on one superstar.

In La Liga alone, Mbappe accounted for nearly 40% of Madrid’s total goals. Even more telling is the fact that he opened the scoring in 15 of the 21 league games where he found the back of the net. In many matches, his early goals allowed Madrid to dictate the tempo and control the game from the onset. This reliance on his individual brilliance, however, is exactly what Alonso wants to re-balance.

Xabi Alonso is believed to be wary of becoming too predictable in attack. While it’s impossible to ignore Mbappe’s talent, there’s a clear emphasis on distributing goal-scoring duties more evenly across the squad for the 2025–26 campaign.

To support this vision, Alonso plans to place greater attacking responsibility on the shoulders of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Federico Valverde. These players have already shown flashes of brilliance but are now expected to increase their goal outputs significantly.

Additionally, one of the club’s most exciting young talents, Franco Mastantuono, could be given more minutes in the coming season. The Argentine wonderkid has impressed in youth and reserve matches and might be fast-tracked into the senior squad rotation. Alonso sees him as a long-term solution, but also a short-term creative spark.

This approach suggests Alonso is planning to evolve Madrid’s system into something more sustainable and versatile. A multi-faceted attacking threat is not just a tactical upgrade—it’s a necessity in a competitive footballing landscape where opponents study every pattern and tendency.

Alonso’s experience as a player, having spent time at elite clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, gives him a keen understanding of how important it is for a top-tier side to avoid overdependence on a single player.

This is particularly relevant as the club enters a new era following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. While Ancelotti enjoyed great success, his latter seasons also saw periods of overreliance on Karim Benzema before the Frenchman’s eventual move away from the club.

Mbappe’s arrival, while monumental, was never meant to be the entire plan—it was a major piece of a broader puzzle. Alonso seems determined to ensure that the team doesn’t fall into the same trap of becoming one-dimensional, even if that one dimension is world-class.

Behind the scenes, reports suggest that training sessions have begun to emphasize coordinated attacking patterns, with drills designed to involve midfielders and fullbacks in finishing moves. This shift in approach could see players like Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga becoming more central in terms of goal contributions.

Interestingly, some fans have taken to social media to voice mixed feelings. While they are thrilled with Mbappe’s impact, many agree that an overreliance could prove problematic if the star forward suffers injuries, dips in form, or faces tightly man-marked situations in big games.

Madridistas will remember painful examples from the past—Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit left a temporary vacuum in goals, and Benzema’s late-career brilliance wasn’t backed by consistent secondary scorers. Alonso appears determined not to repeat history.

Furthermore, with the FIFA Club World Cup and Champions League campaigns ahead, squad rotation will be essential. This makes it even more critical to develop a cohesive attacking identity that doesn’t hinge on Mbappe alone.

Mbappe himself is reportedly aware of the plan and is said to be supportive of Alonso’s broader goals. The French captain has often spoken about the importance of team success over individual accolades, and this could be a chance for him to further prove his versatility as a teammate and leader.

Ultimately, Alonso’s concerns don’t stem from a lack of faith in Mbappe, but rather from a deep understanding of what it takes to build a dynasty. A Real Madrid that thrives even when Mbappe isn’t scoring will be far more dangerous than one that panics every time he has a quiet game.

If Alonso succeeds in executing his vision, Real Madrid could not only become more unpredictable but also more resilient in the long run. With attacking options aplenty, and a coach focused on harmony rather than hierarchy, this could mark the beginning of a new tactical chapter at the Bernabéu.

Only time will tell if the Mbappe era becomes a one-man show or part of a grand symphony—but for now, Xabi Alonso seems intent on conducting a balanced orchestra.