Former Real Madrid forward questions club’s decision over Alonso’s exit: ‘Treated unfairly’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has offered a wide-ranging and honest assessment of the club’s current situation in an interview with AS.

Drawing on his experience as both a former player and a specialist in the striker role, Morientes touched on the managerial changes, the handling of young forwards, and the structural challenges facing Madrid’s attack.

Morientes first addressed the departure of Xabi Alonso, questioning whether the former midfielder was given enough time to develop his project. 

Rather than focusing on blame, Morientes suggested that clarity from the club would help explain the situation.

“I don’t know if Xabi has been treated unfairly. He should say what they promised him, or what they told him and what the project was.”

Expanding on that idea, Morientes made it clear that the problem may lie more with how the project was managed than with the coach himself. He added, 

“I think the project has been treated unfairly.”

The former striker also criticised the speed of the decision-making process, arguing that patience is essential when appointing a coach on a long-term deal. 

On that point, he stated, “If you sign a coach for three years, dismissing him after four or five months is very hasty.”

Despite that criticism, Morientes expressed optimism about the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa, stating the importance of personality and leadership.

“I have a lot of confidence in former players with personality, and I get the feeling that Arbeloa is one of them.”

On Endrick’s exit

Morientes spoke on Endrick’s exit. (Picture credit: X/@OL)

The conversation then shifted to the striker position, particularly the case of Endrick, who left Madrid in search of minutes. 

Morientes was direct in his assessment, suggesting the move should have happened sooner. “Endrick should have left earlier.”

He went on to explain the difficulty young forwards face at Real Madrid, especially with an established star leading the line.

“Getting opportunities at Madrid is not easy, especially when you have a player like Mbappe ahead of you, who is usually on the field.”

Using Gonzalo Garcia as another example, Morientes highlighted how limited chances can be even for players who work relentlessly. 

“Opportunities for others come few and far between. Look at Gonzalo, for example, the man has had to fight for his place as best he can, and even then, he doesn’t have a guaranteed spot.”

Comparing Endrick’s situation to that reality, he added, “Endrick seemed to be like him, the third wheel. I think leaving is the best decision. 

“In fact, it’s overdue. At the beginning of the season, I said that Endrick had to do what other players have done: seek playing time elsewhere.”

More on the chemistry

Morientes also explored whether Endrick could one day coexist with Kylian Mbappe in the same team.

“The two of them together? There would have to be a coach who plays with two strikers or with Mbappe playing a little on the left, which was his position at PSG, although Vinicius is there.”

He concluded by explaining that a system like 4-4-2 could make it work, saying,

“So, if he continues as he has been and Mbappe continues to do what he does as a striker, he has to find a coach who loves 4-4-2. 

“Endrick and Mbappe would have a place in the same team, even though they have similar profiles.”

Finally, Morientes praised Gonzalo Garcia’s value within the squad, even beyond matchdays. “He’s extremely important. 

“Players like him make decision-making easier and, above all, bring quality to training sessions, which is often almost as important as quality in the game itself, but training is invisible.”