Real Madrid were recently eliminated from the Club World Cup following their disheartening 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinal on July 9. The Club World Cup was Xabi Alonso's first competition since taking charge as Real Madrid's head coach in May following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti.

Alongside a strong central defender — Antonio Rudiger or Eder Militao — and the pace of Raul Asencio on the opposite side of the back three, Trent Alexander-Arnold would be able to push on down the right, while Vinicius Jr and Mbappe could drift towards the left flank to combine.

Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has backed new head coach Xabi Alonso to make "big changes" at the club, saying that he won't be afraid to drop anyone.