Arsenal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fdeco.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Barcelona transfer news: Catalan giants exploring summer deal for 22-year-old defender who is ‘a favourite’ of club chief Deco")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F01%2Fnottingham-forest-s-sean-dyche-pictured-on-jan-29-2026-sportimage-697bf450e98aa760174193.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Nottingham Forest vs. Wolves team news: Under-pressure Sean Dyche, Rob Edwards make key decisions ahead of City Ground showdown")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1060806691-698a0d27cf82d015974945.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Next Watford manager: Edward Still confirmed as new Hornets head coach")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F02%2Fns-photo-badge-email-sportmole-15-6984699044396165427117.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United: Liam Rosenior admits Blues making “poor decisions in key moments” after “ridiculous” Lilywhites comeback"){kind=icon}
The Every day Merengue is a spot the place you may be at liberty to d all issues soccer. Don’t be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s within the title! Shoutout to the mods who do a improbable job, Ezek, Valyrian Metal, Felipejack, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours actually, Kung_Fu_Zizou
Xabi Alonso is thought for rotating his groups and with the depth presently obtainable to him at Actual Madrid, we’ll probably see some totally different faces within the subsequent beginning XI. Rodrygo, Franco and possibly Rudiger ought to be in with a shout to begin the following recreation.
Xabi’s belief in Franco Mastantuono is arguably essentially the most stunning factor I’ve seen from the brand new supervisor. Itgoves the impression that we’re low on high quality with out Franco. It was much more stunning than seeing Brahim constantly picked forward of Rodrygo.
Midfield Shortages and Implications
The absence of Camavinga and Jude Bellingham as midfield choices creates issues for Xabi Alonso. The ball management and dribbling capacity of the 2 midfielders offers us one thing we don’t get with Fede Valverde who’s greatest energy shall be his capacity to cowl in addition to get within the field. Jude advert Edu deliver a distinct dynamic on the artistic entrance by way of breaking traces of stress with their dribbling to open up areas and avenues for assault. For now Xabi has to depend on the positional benefits of Fede and Tchouaméni in addition to the passing from Guler and Huijsen for creativity. It didn’t look fairly in opposition to Osasuna however ought to get higher with time.
The Fullback Options
Carreras and Trent have added a lot wanted high quality to the fullback positions. The depth and variation offers Xabi the flexibility to play with extra dynamism in his method. The fullbacks have totally different strengths and weaknesses. Carreras and Carvajal are extra defensively assured whereas Trent and Fran provide their totally different offensive capabilities. Carreras and Carvajal are arguably the extra balanced pair.
