Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso: Javier Mascherano Will Bring A Great Deal To Barcelona

Posted Friday, August 27, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has commented on former Liverpool colleague Javier Mascherano’s impending move to Barcelona, and believes that the Argentine has much to offer the Spanish champions.

Alonso departed from Anfield last summer to become part of the Nuevos Galacticos revolution, and now Mascherano looks likely to be the second high-profile Reds midfielder to head for Spain in the space of two years.

AS reports that Alonso has great respect for the abilities of the tough-tackling defensive midfielder, but also added that he prefers to focus on the development of his own club.

He stated, “He [Mascherano] is certainly a great player. He will bring much to Barcelona. I played with him for three seasons and he is above all very competitive.

“I am sure he will bring a lot, but we do not think about Barcelona, only about us.”

Alonso also compared the techniques of former boss Manuel Pellegrini to that of Jose Mourinho, and remarked that his role in the team has not changed despite the managerial reshuffle.

He added, “Both [Pellegrini and Mourinho] are different, in the method of their training day-to-day and also in their personality.

“As for my role, it has not changed much. I have to give balance to the team, to circulate the ball quickly and provide support to my colleagues.”