Federico Valverde has emerged as one of Xabi Alonso’s main concerns at Real Madrid, as the coach works to recover the midfielder’s best form after a disappointing first half of the season, according to AS.

Real Madrid finished 2025 with three consecutive victories, easing some of the pressure around the squad. However, Alonso remains fully aware that several issues still need addressing, with Valverde’s performances among the most notable. The Uruguayan has yet to score this season and has struggled to reproduce the explosive, decisive influence that defined him in previous campaigns.

Alonso and Valverde started on positive terms during the Club World Cup, where the midfielder played a crucial role and even found the net. At the time, the coach publicly praised him, comparing him to Steven Gerrard and highlighting his physical power and versatility, describing him as the type of player every manager wants.

Ironically, that versatility has also complicated Valverde’s season. Injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold forced Alonso to use him as an emergency right-back, a role he has played in nine of his 22 appearances this season. This situation caused some friction when Valverde admitted he does not feel comfortable playing at full-back, stressing that it has never been his natural position, despite always being willing to help the team.

Even so, Valverde remains an important figure within the squad. The core issue lies elsewhere: his lack of goals. Known for his powerful long-range shooting, the midfielder has gone 1,833 minutes without scoring this season. The contrast with previous years is striking. In the 2022-23 campaign, when he scored 12 goals, he averaged a shot every 42 minutes. Last season, he maintained similar numbers. This year, however, both his shooting frequency and accuracy have dropped significantly.

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