Dani Carvajal's new role in Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso reveals it

The current season has been very tough for Dani Carvajal at Real Madrid for several reasons. His serious injury has kept him off the field for months, unable to help the team. Although he renewed his contract, he has seen new competition arrive with the signing of Alexander Arnold.

However, Carvajal's importance next season will be very significant. Xabi Alonso's arrival will coincide with the new role the Madrid-born full-back will have. In fact, he will become the team's main captain with Modric's departure this summer.

Once Real Madrid's participation in the Club World Cup ends, Luka will leave the team. That means Carvajal will become the first captain of the Merengue team. He will be the most influential person in the locker room, something that has already happened to him in recent seasons.

In addition, Alexander Arnold's arrival won't be to immediately take over the right-back position. Xabi Alonso is clear that the best will play and they have to earn it. Neither the Brit nor the Spaniard is guaranteed to be the starter in that position.

The change of formation could benefit Dani Carvajal

One of the big questions right now is how Xabi Alonso will have Real Madrid play. Bayer Leverkusen's 5-3-2 allowed him to win a Bundesliga when nobody expected it. Although he used it out of necessity, due to the team's weakness in defense.

However, at the White club, he could use that three-center-back formation again. If he does, Carvajal could leave the wing-back spot to Alexander Arnold and stay as part of the defensive wall at the back. That is a possibility the Tolosa native could already be considering.

In addition, the signing of Álvaro Carreras allows him to have another left-back with great range. That would mean that besides Carvajal, Rüdiger, Militao, or Huijsen could be the starting center-backs. Not forgetting Asencio, which gives Xabi numerous alternatives for next season.