In many ways Xabi Alonso’s transfer to Bayern Munich from Real Madrid can be labelled as strange. For starters, post the sale of Angel di Maria to Manchester United, Real Madrid would not have wanted to lose the spine and spirit of La Decima winning team by selling the rock of their midfield to their European rivals. Additionally the presence of an experienced anchorman like Alonso in the dressing room would have been a massive boost to players like Illara and the likewise emerging defensive midfielders. Secondly, Bayern has riches in the said department with the likes of Thiago, Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Lahm and Alaba (who plays as midfielder for Austria). Bayern also had a young Gaudino coming through the ranks.

However, the transfer has given rise to the start of something beautiful.

Pep is known to stack his squad with midfielders. However, his defensive midfielders position is reserved for a player who possess an immaculate reading of the game, is a fierce destroyer of the opponents rhythm and is a continuous recycler or a keeper of the possession. Phillip Lahm at Munich, who Pep labelled as the smartest player he has ever worked with, and Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, whom Pep wished if he was born again he was born as a player like Busquets, have carried out this largely unglamorous, dirty yet one of the most important tasks on the pitch for Pep in the past.

Xabi Alonso took to Bundesliga and Bayern like he was always playing in the league, slotting in directly in his deep niche position as a defensive midfielder, cool as a cucumber as you like it. Providing the foundation and the base for the team to build on, Xabi has so far excelled in every aspect he was known for previously at Sociedad, Liverpool and Madrid. “Good players do not need to adapt”, said Guardiola about Xabi’s initial weeks at Bayern. “He gives us our tempo – something that only midfielders of his quality can do. There’s not much I can teach Xabi”.

Xabi has averaged a league high 125.8 passes per game so far this season with a passing accuracy of 90.3% in the Bundesliga in the 5 matches he has appeared in so far. To add to that he has played 14.3 accurate long balls per game from the deep. Midfield metronome is a loosely thrown around word these days, but if you are looking for the meaning of the term; Xabi Alonso is playing it out loud in Bundesliga this season. 2.2 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game highlights his defensive contributions. In a match against FC Cologne, Xabi Alonso attempted a league record high 204 passes with a passing accuracy of 91%. To put it in perspective, that’s more than 2 passes every minute.

Both Pep Guardiola and Franz Beckenbauer have hailed the signing of the 32 year old.

“He was Bayern’s most important signing”, said Franz Beckenbauer, while Pep added, “We didn’t sign him by accident; he’s a fantastic footballer and, since we had problems in midfield, his role is even more important.”

Xabi is still to open his account on both the assist and the goal fronts. But Xabi is a known free kick, penalty kick and a corner specialist. It won’t be long before we see him register a goal or a an assist. But the partnership Pep and Xabi have forged is surely paying rich dividends.