Redondo's Xabi regret

Fernando Redondo has claimed Real Madrid should have signed Xabi Alonso

Fernando Redondo expresses his feelings that Real Madrid should have been stepped in and signed midfielder Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad, before Liverpool did.

The former Bernabeu favourite believes the current squad is missing a playmaking midfielder, to help balance the side.

"This Madrid team plays differently to the team I played in," he explained. "Guti is playing well, but he is clearly out of position.

"I think David Beckham is better out wide."

When asked who he would sign and why, he responded: "I would have gone for Xabi Alonso when he was available because he is a player that I really like and plays the same way that I used to."

Redondo also reflected on his move to Serie A, stating that he never wanted to leave Real Madrid for Milan.

"The circumstances meant that I had to go and I understood the club's reason for this, as they had received a great offer for me (‚é¼18 million)," he continued.

"They had already turned down a bid from Inter the year before. That is why I had to leave, although I would not have left otherwise.

"I went to Italy without bitterness, although I was a bit aggravated because I wanted to finish my career at Real Madrid."