Will the Alonso brothers face off in the Prem?

By: Ian Rose | April 5th, 2008

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Footballers’ brothers often find a way to wriggle their way into the news. I don’t think there are enough stories about famous players’ sisters to institute a BAS of the Week column quite yet, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Ronaldinho is represented by his brother/agent, who might be seeing some transfer fees sooner rather than later. As far as I know, the only pair of sibling players currently in the Premier League, though, are Gary and Phil Neville, who have proven themselves both excellent defensive players, and phenomenally bad interior designers. But now, there might be another pitting of brother against brother in the Prem, aside from United and Everton. And it involves Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso.

Xabi’s older brother, Mikel, has been at one of their father’s old clubs, Real Sociedad, since 2000. Both Xabi and Mikel were Sociedad players for a few years (see picture above), before Liverpool snatched up Xabi in 2004. The Alonso boys should have been able to line up against each other this season, after Mikel was snatched up on loan by Bolton, but things have not gone smoothly for him there, and he has appeared in only seven matches for the relegation strugglers. So, in a trick similar to that of a certain Scot at Derby, he may be looking to stay up by moving down. Apparently, Hull City are interested in his services, and though Hull are currently in the Championship, they are well within the promotion playoff spots, and still only a point from automatic promotion. If they sign Mikel, and are able to hold on and go up to the Prem, an Alonso family derby might be on queue for next season.

Though he hasn’t impressed at Bolton, Mikel has enough of a resume from his time at Sociedad to deserve a real shot at success in the Premier League. He’s certainly not a goalscorer by nature, but here’s one from his short loan to Numancia. There is no commentary, but thankfully, also no annoying background music, so that’s good. Say what you will - the man can slide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP5Zr0fD_Tk