By Joe Soriano The Trivela Effect
In the chessboard of elite football, man-management is often more important than tactics 鈥 especially when it comes to players like Rodrygo Goes, who walk the frustrating line between starter and super-sub. The Brazilian forward isn鈥檛 just one of Real Madrid鈥檚 most talented attackers; he鈥檚 also one of their most unsettled. And now, with the summer transfer window heating up, Xabi Alonso is already playing a delicate game.
Rodrygo is not starting regularly under Alonso, who has only just taken over as Real Madrid鈥檚 new manager. It鈥檚 not a performance issue 鈥 far from it. Rodrygo has the technical quality, movement, and Champions League pedigree to start for almost any club in Europe. But Madrid鈥檚 attacking depth, especially after the arrival of Kylian Mbapp茅, means minutes will be scarce, and rotation is inevitable.
This lack of minutes hasn鈥檛 gone unnoticed. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with summer bids, with Arsenal showing the clearest intent, targeting him as a dynamic solution for their left-wing role. Arsenal, in particular, is prepared to structure a multistage 鈧80鈥痬illion bid, viewing Rodrygo as a ready-made upgrade in wide area. Real Madrid reportedly value Rodrygo around 鈧90鈥痬illion to help recruit the midfield engine Alonso wants
And so, with the pressure mounting, Alonso has opted for a public olive branch:
鈥淩odrygo is going to be important for us,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n these kinds of tournaments, the starters are just as decisive as the ones who come off the bench. I think he鈥檚 doing well, he鈥檚 training well. Whether he plays is my decision.鈥
It鈥檚 a soft-power move from a manager who understands the politics of Madrid better than most. Rather than dismiss speculation or downplay Rodrygo鈥檚 role, Alonso leaned into it 鈥 acknowledging the player鈥檚 value, reinforcing his importance, and reminding him, subtly, that trust is being extended even if the starting XI doesn鈥檛 always reflect it.
Rodrygo, by all accounts, has remained professional. But the ambition is there, and so is the restlessness. He knows he鈥檚 good enough to start for a top-tier club 鈥 and other teams know it, too. If Madrid aren鈥檛 careful, they risk losing a unique attacking talent right as he鈥檚 entering his prime.
Alonso鈥檚 quote may seem routine, but it signals something deeper. It鈥檚 a manager actively trying to smooth things over, to keep the player bought in. Because if Rodrygo Goes, Real Madrid will be losing far more than just squad depth 鈥 they鈥檒l be losing one of the most clutch, versatile attackers in Europe.
And Arsenal will be standing by with open arms.