TBR Football can exclusively confirm whether Real Madrid will have Xabi Alonso in charge by the time Los Blancos join the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City at the Club World Cup.
Earlier this week, Xabi Alonso confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season ahead of his expected switch to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City will all take part in the first 32-team Club World Cup, with clubs from all six FIFA confederations competing in the United States.
All three will be among the favourites to win the competition, so there’s a good chance they’ll lock horns in the latter stages of the tournament.
Xabi Alonso set to be in charge of Real Madrid at Club World Cup
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Alonso will indeed be in charge of Real for the Club World Cup – so he could face Chelsea and Man City this summer.
Real see the Club World Cup as ideal preparation for Alonso to get to know the squad, as it enables them to be together away from the glare of the intense Madrid and Spanish media.
Furthermore, Alonso is ready to come in as soon as the season ends, TBR Football have been told.
TBR Football has also discussed the potential ramifications of Alonso’s Real Madrid move for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
Who Chelsea and Manchester City are set to face in the Club World Cup
Manchester City take on Italian giants Juventus, Morocco’s Wydad AC and United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain in Group G of the Club World Cup.
| MANCHESTER CITY GROUP G FIXTURES |
| City v Wydad AC, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Wednesday 18 June, 5pm (UK) |
| City v Al Ain FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Sunday 22 June, 21:00 2am (UK) |
| Juventus v City, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Thursday 26 June 15:00, 8pm (UK) |
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to kick off their tournament against Mexico’s FC Leon in Group D before taking on Brazil’s Flamengo and Tunisia’s ES Tunis.
| CHELSEA GROUP G FIXTURES |
| Chelsea vs Club Leon, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Monday 16 June, 8pm (UK) |
| Flamengo vs Chelsea, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Friday 20 June, 7pm (UK) |
| Esperance vs Chelsea, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Tuesday 24 June, 2am (UK) |
If either City or Madrid finish runner-up in their group, with the other finishing top, they will meet in the last 16.
Should the same apply to Bayern Munich and Chelsea, they will also clash with a quarter-final spot on the line.
