Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has said he is counting on Rodrygo amid links to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. After playing a bit-part role at the Club World Cup earlier in the summer, the Brazilian continues to be linked with a Santiago Bernabeu exit before the transfer window closes.

Xabi Alonso’s first press conference of the new campaign carried more than the usual anticipation as the Real Madrid coach placed unexpected attention on a newcomer who has only just arrived from South America Los Blancos will open their campaign against Osasuna on Tuesday night in Pamplona,