Real Madrid has come up leaps and bounds under Xabi Alonso. With a perfect record in both La Liga and the Champions League under the Spanish manager, it's fair to say the future's exciting for Real Madrid.
And it's no coincidence either, Xabi Alonso hasn't been shy since arriving at the Bernabéu. He has demanded 100% buy-in from any player who wants to play under him, and any player who can't guarantee that, has been shipped to the fringe list.
Just look at the likes of Vinícius Júnior: he would have been playing every available minute this time last season, but under Xabi Alonso, it's a different story. Viní doesn't want to defend? Fine, he won't attack, either.
But while some players are hating life under Xabi Alonso, others are loving it so far. One of those players is Arda Güler, who's started every competitive game so far this season. He's been a focal point in the new regime.
And Arda Güler is still young, but he's twice the player he was last season. The increase in exposure helps, but Güler is actively working on refining his weaknesses.
As good as Güler has been, he hasn't been the most improved player under Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid's most improved player under Xabi Alonso is not Arda Güler
Aurélien Tchouaméni is Real Madrid's most improved player. Despite being world-class under Carlo Ancelotti, he's yet to have a single bad touch under the new guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Last season, calling Tchouaméni the best defensive midfielder in the world was acceptable, but still met with a few side-eyes. Now, though, we would walk away slowly and judgmentally if you mentioned anyone other than Tchouaméni as the best defensive midfielder in the world.
Tchouaméni has been Real Madrid's most consistent player for some time now. If his start to life under Xabi Alonso is anything to go by, then fans can expect an entirely new floor from him.
And look, we get it. Describing an already world-class player as Real Madrid's most improved might not be popular. Naturally, fan attention goes to players who wouldn't get a look-in last season.
However, Real Madrid is at the stage where every player is held to the same standards. This is the way Xabi Alonso wants it, and fans will embody this culture going forward.
Both the floor and the ceiling can be raised at the same time in this Alonso system, and Tchouaméni is living proof of that.