Dani Ceballos hasn't seen much action during Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign. While it's still too early to make definitive judgments, one thing is becoming clear: he’s not among Xabi Alonso’s preferred choices. The midfielder from Utrera wrapped up the tournament with just 70 minutes played: 30 against Pachuca, 16 against Salzburg, 1 against Juventus, and 23 against Dortmund.

Still, these are only the opening matches of the season, and Ceballos knows better than most that situations can change. He’s been through similar, even tougher, stretches before, and resilience will be key once again.

That said, his name has returned to the list of potential departures, especially following his limited role in recent matches. But for now, letting go of another midfielder would be a significant risk for Xabi Alonso. With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos already gone, the midfield is undergoing major transition. Alonso has already taken a bold step by positioning Arda Güler as a possible creative leader, a risky but intriguing bet. Still, even if that decision pays off, Madrid will likely need another reinforcement in the middle.

Whether that reinforcement comes from within or through the transfer market remains to be seen, especially now that Martín Zubimendi has signed with Arsenal, closing off one of the club's top targets.

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