How Real Madrid will line up with David Alaba

Martin Macdonald

22 Jul 2021 10:15 BST
3 min read

How Real Madrid will line up with David Alaba — © ProShots

David Alaba was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player this week in a press conference in Spain.

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The Austrian's contract with Bayern Munich ended in June, with negotiations over an extended deal breaking down before the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Alaba allegedly wanted to become one of the highest paid players at the club alongside the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, and Thomas Muller.

A war of words broke out between the parties involved during last season, with Alaba’s agent and father exchanging verbal barbs with some of the club’s directors.

Oliver Kahn, who is Bayern’s new president, had some harsh words for Alaba’s agent Pini Zahavi.

“In a certain way, I am actually disaffected because I notice a disconnection from reality, which is breathtaking,” Kahn told Kicker about Zahavi.

“We appreciate David Alaba very much, he is an extraordinary person, always friendly and open. Although we tried everything to keep him, no agreement was reached.”

Alaba had been courted by nearly every elite club in Europe, and eventually settled on a move to Real Madrid.

So, how will Alaba fit in the starting XI of Real Madrid?

Real Madrid XI featuring David Alaba

Real Madrid have been on the lookout for a new centre-back since even before the end of last season, and when it became Alaba was available they quickly leapt to the head of the line in his list of suitors.

Los Blancos lost legendary defender Sergio Ramos at the expiration of his contract in June, with no new deal agreed.

Ramos had been negotiating over an extended contract with the Spanish giants, but the club were unwilling to meet his demands of a two-year deal. When he eventually settled on their one-year offer, Ramos was told it was too late.

He has subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain.

While it was possible that Alaba could have partnered Ramos, he will now act as his replacement.

© ProShots - Real Madrid XI with David Alaba

Real Madrid are also sweating over the future of Raphael Varane who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, though he remains their player for the moment.

Of course, there will likely be more incomings at Real Madrid than just Alaba this summer, with the Santiago Bernabeu side keen to recruit one of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

For the purposes of the XI, we have selected players who are there at the moment, even though the line-up may look decidedly different ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

In attack, Real Madrid will be welcoming back Gareth Bale following his loan spell at Tottenham. Carlo Ancelotti has opened the door for the Welshman to return and find his best form after being shut out by Zinedine Zidane over the last two years.

Karim Benzema should still lead the line if Haaland doesn't arrive, while Eden Hazard will be first choice even if he has been poor in Madrid so far.