Rodrygo Goes has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City amid rumours he is not in Alonso's starting XI plans. Despite leaving his No.11 on the bench against Osasuna, with Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz both starting, Alonso was firm in his pledge to keep the former Santos star in his ranks.

Ever since Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid from PSG last summer, the club's depth chart has shuffled significantly, with Rodrygo suddenly on the fringes of the attacking ranks.

Xabi Alonso praised the impact of Real Madrid's new signings, including debutant Franco Mastantuono, after the team beat Osasuna 1-0 in their opening game of the LaLiga season on Tuesday.