Opinion: Why Alonso should not sacrifice Real Madrid prodigy to make way for talismanic midfielder | OneFootball

With Jude Bellingham back from his shoulder injury, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is facing a tactical headache.

The Englishman is a generational talent – an all-action midfielder who has proven to be a talismanic presence on the field for the team.

But Real Madrid’s recent performances raise an uncomfortable question: should Bellingham automatically walk back into the starting lineup, even if it means sidelining Franco Mastantuono?

The evidence suggests not. In fact, benching Mastantuono to accommodate Bellingham could undo the balance and spark Madrid have built in recent weeks.

When the England international started against Atletico Madrid, Alonso dropped Mastantuono, and the difference was obvious. As such, here are three reasons why the youngster is not the one who should be sacrificed to clear the way for Bellingham.

Defensive contributions

Mastantuono’s defensive discipline is rare for a teenager and even rarer for a winger in a front three featuring Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.

Whenever Madrid are forced to track back, Mastantuono is usually the first of the forwards to recover his position and press. The numbers back it up.

In just 405 La Liga minutes, he has made 17 ball recoveries – matching Mbappe’s total (17) despite playing 295 fewer minutes, and nearly matching Vinicius’ 19 in 592 minutes.

That work rate allows Madrid’s full-backs to push higher, confident they will not be exposed on the counter.

Without Mastantuono, the right flank becomes fragile. Dropping the Argentine international means asking someone else – either a midfielder or the right-back – to shoulder that defensive burden, stretching the shape Alonso has carefully built.

Bellingham’s return has jeopardised Mastantuono’s place in the lineup. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The attacking threat on the right-wing

With Rodrygo now firmly established on the left, Real Madrid’s right flank depends on Mastantuono’s energy and directness. His stats might not yet sparkle – few goals, modest assists – but his impact is clear in how opponents defend.

The 18-year-old prodigy’s dribbling, ball control, and relentless runs force left-backs to stay deep, creating pockets for midfielders and inside forwards.

Against compact defenses, Mastantuono’s one-on-one ability breaks lines and keeps the attack unpredictable. He stretches the field in a way that Bellingham, naturally drawn to central zones, simply does not.

Numbers do not fully capture how much danger Mastantuono creates every time he isolates his marker and drives forward.

Tactical Balance

One of Mastantuono’s most underrated contributions is how his positioning opens space for others. By staying glued to the touchline on the right, he stretches the opposition back line horizontally.

That creates the half-spaces that players Bellingham, Federico Valverde, or even Mbappe thrive on when making central runs. Removing Mastantuono narrows Real Madrid’s shape and makes them easier to contain.

Conclusion

Xabi Alonso does not need to see this as a “Jude or Franco” dilemma. The real task is finding a system that maximizes both – perhaps pushing Jude slightly deeper or rotating him more intelligently.

Mastantuono has earned his place, not through hype, but through consistent, selfless performances that make the team better. Dropping him to make room for Bellingham would be a tactical regression.