Alonso to Madrid and is Mbappe the problem?

As league football winds down, big questions emerge on Mbappé, Spurs, Ancelotti, Inzaghi, and Alonso ahead of the transfer window and summer changes.

Kyllian Mbappe has been throroughly scrutinized at Real Madrid but, if his contributions are fairly evaluated, is he indeed the problem at Real Madrid? (Photo credit: GOAL)

League football is winding down, and it only means one not so interesting but highly gripping thing – the transfer window is about to open, which leaves room for lots of questions.

With two to three games left in all top leagues, outside the cup finals and the new Club World Cup format, football is almost done on the league front, and it’s a good time to evaluate some teams and answer key questions around them.

Is Mbappé truly the problem at Real Madrid?

When Kylian Mbappé signed for Real Madrid, opinions flew right, left and centre on how he would unsettle the dressing room and bring imbalance to the squad. That sentiment was affirmed after his early struggles, but how do you blame a man who scored almost 40 goals for Madrid’s woes?

Let’s ignore the injuries and the over-reliance on a 40-year-old Luka Modric; let’s ignore their weak performances where it mattered most in the course of the season and especially all the consecutive losses to Barcelona, and then blame Mbappe, who has shattered records this season. Nonsense!

Will a European trophy placate Spurs and United fans?

In an unprecedented manner, one of Manchester United and Tottenham will win the Europa League, and as things stand on the league table, the winner of the final will be headed to the Champions League from the 16th or 17th spot on the Premier League log.

In what context would it be reasonable for their fans to feel satisfied with such a disappointing league position, even with European success? Ruben Amorim is safe; he won’t be fired, but is Ange Postecoglou set to leave Spurs even if he wins the Europa?

Will Ancelotti bring the World Cup to Brazil next year?

The news of Carlo Ancelotti’s move to the Brazil national team has been met with mixed feelings across the board; is he taking a lazy job? Is it over for him in Europe? Is Brazil the right decision for him after a poor season at Real Madrid? Why didn’t he leave on a high last season?

With the likes of Vini Jr and Rodrygo in the Selecao squad, Ancelotti has his trusted forwards to build things around, but with the current crop branded as the least talented in the history of Brazilian football, where does Ancelotti begin with the World Cup just a year away?

Should Inzaghi take on other projects?

Inter Milan suddenly has a chance to win the Scudetto again after Antonio Conte’s Napoli stumbled at home against Genoa, leaving the title race blown open to the two of Inter and Napoli.

Inzaghi’s Inter Milan is in the final of the Champions League, and they could well beat Napoli to the Scudetto. Should the Italian look elsewhere if he lands the two titles? Even if he only lands one of them, is it time for him to consider another project?

Is Alonso the right man for Real Madrid?

Barcelona will win La Liga; it’s now the worst-kept secret after Sunday’s El Clásico success, and with news confirming Ancelotti’s departure, is Xabi Alonso the anointed one for the Real Madrid job?

If indeed the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star is named as the new boss at Real Madrid, how much power would he have in the dressing room? How much influence would he have in the transfer conversation, and how will he compete against a Barcelona side that are now in their own strides?