Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso praised English international Jude Bellingham for the attitude and leadership he demonstrates, BTA reported.
The Spanish specialist highlighted the importance of the midfielder for the performance of the team, which tonight Bulgarian time will face the Austrian RB Salzburg in its final match of the group stage of the Club World Cup in the United States.
Alonso said that he "loves" what Bellingham gives to Real Madrid. The Englishman scored his first goal in the Alonso era on Sunday in a 3-1 win over Mexican side Pachuca.
"It is obvious that he will continue to be a key player for us", commented Xabi Alonso on Bellingham at the press conference before the match with RB Salzburg, quoted by the DPA agency.
"I like what he does in the middle of the pitch and how he participates in all the team's actions. Jude has a lot of ambition, he wants to improve and continue to grow, and we want to continue to see how he grows", added the Madrid coach.
As for the condition of French striker Kylian Mbappe, Xabi Alonso said: "I am happy to see him on the pitch, but it was the first day he put on his boots and that is not good. We spoke after training and he prefers to recover and prepare for the round of 16".
Ferlan Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga also remain out of the equation.
"We have two objectives - to win and to finish first in the group. In the previous match we had a good feeling, even though we were one player less, both with and without the ball. We hope that the same can happen with RB Salzburg, who are a dynamic and intense opponent", continued Alonso.
"I don't think it's a good idea to think that we won't win the match. This is not a message for anyone. We don't want to offer something that is not clear and objective, beyond victory. For us, the Club World Cup is the most important thing at this moment. "It will be difficult without a doubt, but we want to try," concluded the Real Madrid coach.