Too soon to say if Mbappe will start against Dortmund, Alonso says
Mbappe made his tournament debut on Tuesday as Real Madrid edged Juventus 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals after missing all of the group stage.
"He's getting better. He's been improving over the last three days," Alonso told reporters at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday. "Tomorrow morning we will be deciding if he will be part of the initial 11."
Mbappe came off the bench as a substitute in the second half of the Spanish side's 1-0 win over Juventus in Miami on Tuesday, earning wild applause in a scene that underscored his global appeal at the U.S.-hosted tournament.
Mbappe was briefly hospitalised early in the tournament, isolated from his teammates as he recovered.
Alonso's team have leaned on Gonzalo Garcia to deputise in his absence, as the 21-year-old academy graduate has recorded three goals - including Tuesday's winner - and an assist in a breakout performance at the competition.
"I think (Garcia and Mbappe) could complement each other and if it's something that is required, it's not something I'm going to turn a blind eye to," said Alonso.
They face a Dortmund team in solid form on Saturday, after the German side held off a stirring second-half fightback from Monterrey 2-1 this week to book their spot in the final eight.
"Dortmund is a very good team. As soon as (coach Niko Kovac) was at the helm, they were growing and developing and on the rise," said Alonso. "We are facing a tough opponent... It's gonna be tight tomorrow."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
23 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘He didn't understand a single word' – Cole Palmer reveals what he told Estevao Willian after Chelsea's win vs Palmeiras
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COLE PALMER is banking on the language of football to do the talking with new team-mate Estevao Willian. Because he has found out that they won't be able to communicate any other way for a while as the Brazilian teenager cannot speak a word of English. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Estevao showed what he can bring to Chelsea with an accute angle finish for Palmeiras Credit: AFP 5 Palmer was keen to have a word with the teenager after the game Credit: AFP 5 Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea Credit: Getty Palmer took the opportunity to meet Chelsea's new signing after the final whistle following the Premier League side's 2-1 win over Palmeiras at the Club World Cup. Both lads scored before an own goal put the Premier League team through to the semi finals. The game was Estevao's farewell before joining up with The Blues. And Palmer said: 'I just said we are excited for you to join, but he didn't understand a single word I said.' Keen to get his message across Palmer had to hire the service of Portuguese teammate Dario Essugo to help with the translation. The two players did manage to swap shirts though. Estevao will join up with Chelsea later this month when they report back for pre-season training some time after the conclusion of the Club World Cup. The Brazilian's goal offered a glimpse of what's to come when he finally arrives at Stamford Bridge. Showing incredible balance, technique and flair throughout the game before Chelsea got a deserved win. Winger Estevao and Palmer are tipped to be the faces of Chelsea's future and the pair shared a brief embrace after the game with cameras catching the moment Palmer tried to strike up a conversation. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fans on social media were quick to pick up on the exchange. Spurs Ready to STEAL Mohammed Kudus from Chelsea in Stunning Move! | Transfers Exposed One fan said: 'I love how unserious Palmer is." Another wrote: 'Palmer will always be Palmer with the way he interacts with other players.' A third added: 'Palmer, you'll need to teach him English.' WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Despite the language barrier the light-hearted moment highlights the warm welcome Chelsea's current stars are ready to offer the Brazilian wonderkid when he arrives for pre-season. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be hoping the teenager settles in quickly once he links up with the squad in a few weeks. 5 The Brazilian sensation will now join Chelsea for pre-season
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘He didn't understand a single word' – Cole Palmer reveals what he told Estevao Willian after Chelsea's win vs Palmeiras
COLE PALMER is banking on the language of football to do the talking with new team-mate Estevao Willian. Because he has found out that they won't be able to communicate any other way for a while as the Brazilian teenager cannot speak a word of English. 5 5 Palmer took the opportunity to meet Chelsea's new signing after the final whistle following the Premier League side's 2-1 win over Palmeiras at the Club World Cup. Both lads scored before an own goal put the Premier League team through to the semi finals. The game was Estevao's farewell before joining up with The Blues. And Palmer said: 'I just said we are excited for you to join, but he didn't understand a single word I said.' Keen to get his message across Palmer had to hire the service of Portuguese teammate Dario Essugo to help with the translation. The two players did manage to swap shirts though. Estevao will join up with Chelsea later this month when they report back for pre-season training some time after the conclusion of the Club World Cup. The Brazilian's goal offered a glimpse of what's to come when he finally arrives at Stamford Bridge. Showing incredible balance, technique and flair throughout the game before Chelsea got a deserved win. Winger Estevao and Palmer are tipped to be the faces of Chelsea's future and the pair shared a brief embrace after the game with cameras catching the moment Palmer tried to strike up a conversation. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fans on social media were quick to pick up on the exchange. Spurs Ready to STEAL Mohammed Kudus from Chelsea in Stunning Move! | Transfers Exposed One fan said: 'I love how unserious Palmer is." Another wrote: 'Palmer will always be Palmer with the way he interacts with other players.' A third added: 'Palmer, you'll need to teach him English.' Despite the language barrier the light-hearted moment highlights the warm welcome Chelsea's current stars are ready to offer the Brazilian wonderkid when he arrives for pre-season. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be hoping the teenager settles in quickly once he links up with the squad in a few weeks. 5 5
Powys County Times
34 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Estevao Willian was really something in clash with Chelsea
Cole Palmer is looking forward to linking up with Estevao Willian after seeing the teenage talent close up in Chelsea's Club World Cup defeat of Palmeiras. The highly rated 18-year-old winger scored a superb goal to cancel out Palmer's opener as Palmeiras pegged the Londoners back in an absorbing quarter-final encounter in Philadelphia. Chelsea eventually prevailed 2-1 – and set up a last-four clash with another Brazilian side in Fluminense – after Malo Gusto forced a late own goal but the impression made by Estevao was strong. Palmer, who spoke to and swapped shirts with his soon-to-be team-mate after the game, said: 'I just said we look forward to seeing you but he didn't understand that word I said! 'But, yes, he's a top player. Obviously, he's only young as well. When he comes to England, people need to give him time to adapt to the culture, the language. 'He's still only 18 or 19 but you can see he's got amazing quality and we look forward to seeing him.' Chelsea controlled much of the first half at Lincoln Financial Field and took the lead after a nice turn and finish from Palmer after 16 minutes. It was the 23-year-old's first goal for club or country in nine appearances and he ran to the touchline to celebrate with defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who was among the substitutes. 'That's my boy,' said Palmer of his fellow Manchester City academy graduate. 'Obviously, I've had a difficult time these past whatever months on and off the pitch, but he's always been there for me and he's helped me a lot. I just thought I'd go over to him.' Estevao levelled after 53 minutes with a superb strike from a tight angle but Chelsea snatched victory seven minutes from time when Gusto's cross took deflections off Agustin Giay and goalkeeper Weverton ended up in the net. Palmer felt the introduction of new signing Joao Pedro, who came off the bench to make his debut in the 54th minute, proved crucial. Palmer said of the £60million recruit from Brighton: 'I think he did very well. 'Obviously, he's been on holiday in Brazil and we didn't know what to expect from him (in terms of) match sharpness but I think he changed the game.' Despite being on the losing side, Estevao was named player of the match and his coach Abel Ferreira believes Chelsea have made a brilliant signing. The Portuguese said: 'I spoke with (Chelsea manager) Maresca (and told him), 'you bought an amazing player but, more than this, you bought an amazing person. You need to take care of him'. 'He is a player who can win a game alone with the dribbling, the shot. With new players and a new coach he will grow as a player and a person. 'In England the sun appears two or three times a year and the nights come early but Chelsea have the conditions to support him.'
