The Club World Cup marked the first real test for Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid manager. After a painful elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the club's season has effectively ended, and planning for the 2025-26 campaign is now fully underway. This involves both potential new signings and decisions about which players may no longer have a place under the Basque coach.

According to journalist Rubén Cañizares via Rubén Martín's YouTube channel, three players have already been marked as expendable in Alonso’s view following this tournament.

The players in question are Dani Ceballos, who featured in all but one match and even played in the defeat against PSG; Raúl Asencio, who had a string of starts but failed to convince and was sent off early on Matchday 2; and Rodrygo Goes, who has seen his role diminish significantly and was barely used despite starting in the tournament opener.

All three are no longer seen as part of Alonso's long-term vision. Discussions about possible exits have already begun with Ceballos and Rodrygo, while Asencio’s case may come as a surprise to some, especially since he just signed a contract extension a few weeks ago.

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