Alonso Speaks...

[kingfunk]

It was one of the biggest transfer deals of the summer.

Xabi Alonso's big-money move to Real Madrid was a huge disappointment for many Liverpool fans, but he is now seen as a key part of the Real jigsaw as the Bernabeu club bid to conquer Spanish and European football once again.

Revista de La Liga caught up with the Spanish midfielder to discuss his hopes and aspirations ahead of the new campaign.

He told us about his excitement at the challenge that awaits him in La Liga - and he also gave his thoughts on Real's mega-money signings, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

And he also opened up about his decision to leave Liverpool and his relationship with Rafael Benitez - insisting he has known for 12 months that he needed to leave...

ALONSO ON MADRID...
"It's a massive challenge for me, for the club, for all the players. The expectation is really high, the club has spent massive amounts on new players, bringing new hope to the supporters, and we hope to deliver on that expectation. Madrid have given me a lot of support, they have invested a lot of money to acquire me and that was really important to receive that support from the club. The manager wants an offensive team, he wants me to be a link between defence and attack, he wants me to give the ball to the players around me because the potential is huge."

ALONSO ON KAKA...
"Kaka's personality on the pitch and off the pitch is similar, he is always happy and trying to make himself available. On the pitch he is technically superb and he always chooses the right option. He is a special player, one of those players who come along every five or 10 years."

ALONSO ON RONALDO...
"Cristiano Ronaldo is unique in terms of pace, shooting, dribbling. He brings fantastic football to us, as he did at Manchester United, but he's got a big challenge to do as well for Madrid as he did in the Premier League."

ALONSO ON LIVERPOOL...
"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision for me to leave Liverpool. During my five years I was lucky enough to experience some magical nights at Anfield, to experience the support of the best fans in the world. I will always have them in my mind."

ALONSO ON BENITEZ...
"There have been a lot of rumours but as I've said before, it was a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do on the pitch. When the birth of my child happened, I had to take a decision to be with my family because it was an important moment. Last summer when the club proposed that I had to be sold to buy new players it was a difficult moment, but I accepted it as a professional. That moment changed my mind, from that moment it was time for a change.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5530854,00.html

[Craig_H]

Well, that certainly puts paid to those who insisted on defending Rafa's 'man management' skills and doubted that it was indeed this, which caused Alonso to want out.

[Shaggy]

So Xabi confirms what we suspected - that he is a complete pussy and started crying because his manager wanted sell him after two seasons of mediocrity.

[Craig_H]

So Xabi confirms what we suspected - that he is a complete pussy and started crying because his manager wanted sell him after two seasons of mediocrity.

I dont think it's about being a pussy. He (rightly) felt that the manager didnt have faith in him and wanted him out, so decided not to stick around.

Who sticks around where they're not wanted? Apart from fredo, i mean.

[bertie]

So Xabi confirms what we suspected - that he is a complete pussy and started crying because his manager wanted sell him after two seasons of mediocrity.

[Shaggy]

Well, Xabi did stick around...for a whole season. And to his credit he played ****ing brilliantly and forced the manager into a u-turn. He was wanted, he'd proved his worth to the manager (the manager who saw fit sign him but was 'rewarded' with only one good season from three)....but he held a grudge. Man the **** up Xabi!

[JohnDoe]

I miss Xabi

[Darkon]

I dont think it's about being a pussy. He (rightly) felt that the manager didnt have faith in him and wanted him out, so decided not to stick around.

Who sticks around where they're not wanted? Apart from fredo, i mean.

nothing to do with him being a pussy, but him not being welcomed when rafa tried to force him out last summer.

Will be missed though!

[Craig_H]

Well, Xabi did stick around...for a whole season. And to his credit he played ****ing brilliantly and forced the manager into a u-turn. He was wanted, he'd proved his worth to the manager....but he held a grudge. Man the **** up Xabi!

Yeah but he'd have been sitting there, waiting for the manager to **** him off whenever he had a dip in form. Alonso would've wanted Rafa to have kept faith in him, and given him the benefit of the doubt. Rafa needed to trust Alonso enough to know that he'd once again prove his quality. But Rafa didnt and once the trust is gone, it's gone.

I know if my boss had made it clear he wanted me out and didnt have faith in my ability to do my job, i certainly wouldnt want to stick around and work in that environment. And Xabi did stay, but only because no fee was accepted that summer.

I dont blame Alonso in the slightest, Rafa ballsed it up IMO.

[Shaggy]

nothing to do with him being a pussy, but him not being welcomed when rafa tried to force him out last summer.

I've stated the case above - he was wanted.. If he was boo-hooing so much about it last summer then why didn't he submit a written transfer request then?

Instead, he cried about it and, despite being professional enough to belatedly prove his worth on the pitch, he held a grudge.

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

[Molby]

look everybody, lets get one thing straight here..............each and every one of us who bother to read and write things on this discussion board have one thing in common - WE ARE LIVERPOOL TILL WE DIE. We don't sign contracts tying us to support our blessed club for three, four or five years, whatever that maybe, with various clauses attached - and then move on to support another club.Bollox to that.

lets remember, Alonso handed in a transfer request - he wanted to leave L4. If he ever comes back in a european night with madrid - i hope the Kop don't sing his name

most players are only interested in the pound notes......, thankfully we've stevie and carra to keep us sane.......YNWA

[Craig_H]

I've stated the case above - he was wanted.. If he was boo-hooing so much about it last summer then why didn't he submit a written transfer request then?

Instead, he cried about it and, despite being professional enough to belatedly prove his worth on the pitch, he held a grudge.

So if your boss had basically told you he thought you were **** at your job and not worth keeping, you wouldnt be ****ed off about it?

Alonso had no choice but to stay last summer, because we never accepted a bid for him.

[Shaggy]

Yeah but he'd have been sitting there, waiting for the manager to **** him off whenever he had a dip in form. Alonso would've wanted Rafa to have kept faith in him, and given him the benefit of the doubt. Rafa needed to trust Alonso enough to know that he'd once again prove his quality. But Rafa didnt and once the trust is gone, it's gone.

I dont blame Alonso in the slightest, Rafa ballsed it up IMO.

Rafa gave him the benefit of the doubt after one non-descript season. Two consecutive ones is taking the piss and quite rightly the manager looked to replace him with a more reliable and consistent Premiership performer.

I blame Alonso, obviously, although in his defence I totally disagreed with Rafa's reported demands on him at the time of the birth of Xabi's kid. He had every right to be there and a game of football means jack-**** when your child is being born.

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

So if your boss had basically told you he thought you were **** at your job and not worth keeping, you wouldnt be ****ed off about it?

i just told someone that 5 minutes ago.

the focker is useless. im just too soft