Xabi Alonso's first words at Real Madrid: "With Vinicius and Mbappe I have ideas"

Xabi Alonso has given his first press conference as Real Madrid coach after signing his new three-year contract and being presented without the presence of the media. It is clear that he has just arrived and has a lot of work to do. But he seems to be counting on Rodrygo and made it clear that he can get the best out of Bellingham. He also admitted that he wants to get the best out of Vinicius and Mbappe together. "It's a task I have," he stressed.

"It's certainly a very exciting day, one that you remember because there's only once in a lifetime that you can coach Madrid and today is the day. I have felt very good, with people who were already there and that is reassuring."

How do you see the squad and if you have asked for a midfielder and if you have been consulted about Modric's departure: "We always want to improve and for a short time now I want to have that communication with the club. The squad is very good and now it is not that I arrive with demands but with the idea of wanting to improve. The squad is very good and I want to start working with them. I arrive with the desire to work as a team and to be able to improve."

Vertigo about replacing Ancelotti? "No, not at all. Obviously, the demands at Madrid are very high and you have to accept the challenge. But it's a very nice challenge and we can do things that will excite the fans, that will get the people going. That's what we're here for. I'm sure we have that energy that we need."

"I have done an analysis of how the team has played, of how the players are and I use it for the idea that I have. Coaches depend on the players and I think the players are of a very high level. The challenge is to make a team, to get the potential out of these players and for us all to go together. If we all go together, we will have a very powerful force."

"Why did you choose to arrive before the World Cup?": "The circumstances have come together. I see it as an opportunity in two ways. On the one hand, to get ahead of the game. On the other hand, to fight for another title. It's the first Club World Cup, the ambition is there."

High pressure: "What I like is that we know how to choose the moments. Nowadays you have to know how to handle yourself in different contexts. We have players for that."

When do you know you are coming to Madrid: "This depends on them wanting you and you wanting them. The second one usually happens. Today with all the people at the club... now the next step is the players."

How Madrid will play: "It's a good question and I like it because today, football asks you to be flexible and dynamic. It asks you to know how to move pieces. I have an idea of how we want to play, but the snapshot of the system can change. I want the team to transmit emotion, energy, play in an ambitious way and connect with the people. The symbiosis we are looking for is fundamental for the stage to start well. I like to improve the potential of each one to fit the pieces."

The coach who has influenced him the most: "The fact that I'm here is because of the influence of everyone. I've had a lot of very good ones and have empathy with all of them. My father, who was a coach, was perhaps the biggest influence and in the day to day you see things that we can improve. I have a good relationship with everyone."

"With Luka I'm not very objective because we were teammates and, when he arrived, we had a chemistry. He became the conductor, he has been a great legend. Seeing the farewell the other day makes you proud. I've been with him for a while. I've been lucky enough to coach him in the World Cup, it's going to be a privilege."

"I feel it, I feel that it is the moment when all the parts fit together. But above all because of the people. People are excited, they visualize and want to believe. And that gives a lot of energy. Then you have to work on it, but it is a good time."

The day he finds out he's the coach. "I don't know, probably yesterday with the statement (laughs). It was quite obvious, how could you not know?"

"It's a good thing that we have players of that level. Not only Kylian or Vinicius, but many others. They are different, they make the difference and we have to get everything out of them. I have ideas. There is still time until we get together with them. But for me it is very important that communication of what we want. They are high level players and it is the task that I have".

How are you going to play? "The good thing is to have good players, then it's my problem."

If he gave the OK to Huijsen: "Since yesterday we have talked about things and they are agreed. There are others that affect me more directly. From today I am here to make decisions and decide things."

Have you spoken to Rodrygo? "He is a Real Madrid player and we are going to have a conversation with everyone because they deserve it. He is a spectacular player and we will need him."

How he manages the group: "I need that closeness, that connection to feel what is going on and what each player needs. I know what I have to do and I know that I like to be close to them."

The best place for Bellingham: "Jude can be special anywhere. He was at Dortmund when I arrived and he has had a breakthrough in the last two years to make a mark. He is going to be fundamental for the next projects of this club. I see him clearly as a midfielder and with all that potential he has we are going to try to make him as efficient as possible, that is one of the steps we have to take."