Real Madrid’s tumultuous season, described by some as a “shambles,” has prompted a radical suggestion from former Argentine manager Jorge D’Alessandro: sell Kylian Mbappe and pursue Erling Haaland as his replacement, according to Marca. The call comes as the Spanish giants navigate a period of significant upheaval, marked by managerial changes and a stark absence of major silverware.
The 2024-25 campaign has been particularly challenging for Los Blancos. The club initially welcomed Xabi Alonso as manager, only to dismiss him midway through the season, installing Alvaro Arbeloa as interim boss. On the pitch, their struggles were equally pronounced:
- Exited the Copa del Rey.
- Exited the Champions League.
- Relinquished the LaLiga title to FC Barcelona.
Beyond the results, reports suggest an “unsurmountable tension” within the Real Madrid locker room, with internal conflicts and a destroyed team chemistry. Many fans have pointed fingers at Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid in 2024. Despite his high-profile arrival, Mbappe is yet to win a major trophy with the club, a stark contrast to his former side Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Champions League for the first time in their history and reached the final again this year after his departure.
Speaking on El Chiringuito, Jorge D’Alessandro did not mince words regarding Mbappe’s impact and suitability. He questioned the forward’s ability to integrate with other star players, highlighting a recurring pattern throughout his career.
Read also: Ancelotti plots Brazil's World Cup return: Neymar's fate and Vinícius Júnior's burden
“Who are the players that need to play next to Mbappe? I have doubts that it’s Vinicius. It didn’t work with Lionel Messi, it didn’t work with Neymar, it didn’t work with Ousmane Dembele. Who is he supposed to play with? What does he need?” D’Alessandro mused.
D’Alessandro went further, proposing a bold transfer strategy to rectify Real Madrid’s current predicament. He suggested that if a willing suitor could be found for Mbappe, the club should not hesitate to offload him and reinvest in a more traditional number nine, specifically mentioning Erling Haaland.
“If I had someone who would buy Mbappe, I could buy Haaland. But no one wants to buy Mbappe… I would sell him and buy what I need: A center back with guarantees and a striker, a No. 9 who isn’t Mbappe, but gives me what PSG is getting, what Bayern Munich is getting, the teams that dominate Europe,” D’Alessandro asserted, laying out a vision for a more balanced and dominant Real Madrid side.
The former manager’s comments underscore the immense pressure on Real Madrid to address their on-field issues and re-establish their dominance, even if it means making difficult decisions regarding their marquee signings.
Read also: World Cup legends Messi and Ochoa star in Michelob Ultra's 2026 campaign
Sources: www.marca.com, marca.com
Read also: Barcelona consider legal action after Florentino Perez's Negreira claims
