Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior to Have ‘Crunch Talks’ Over Club World Cup Showings

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is set to hold talks with star forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior to address concerns regarding their on-field attitudes and work rate, according to Spanish reports. This follows similar issues highlighted under previous manager Carlo Ancelotti last season, with the recent 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal reinforcing these worries under Alonso.

Madrid officials, as reported by MARCA, are specifically concerned about the team's lack of fluency and defensive cohesion, pinpointing an alleged lack of effort from Mbappé and Vinicius in attack and off-the-ball work. Alonso is expected to reiterate a warning he previously issued about the need to put aside egos and contribute defensively.

Vinicius's situation is causing the greatest concern. Officials fear his ongoing public contract saga may have affected his mindset, and they will seek answers regarding his recent slump in form. While Mbappé is receiving more understanding due to a recent illness that caused him to miss most of the Club World Cup and may have impacted his PSG performance, Alonso was reportedly unimpressed by his specific lack of defensive effort in that semifinal.

Tired of recurring issues, Madrid officials have placed their faith in Alonso to resolve the team's problems and fully support his approach as he prepares to speak with Mbappé, Vinicius, and other players of concern. Former Madrid player Gareth Bale has backed Alonso to get the duo working harmoniously, stating that Alonso commands respect, expects players to follow his style, and isn't afraid to drop anyone who doesn't comply.