Real Madrid News
Ancelotti believes it will be hard to bench Real Madrid forward after display vs Cacereno
Real Madrid booked a place in the Round of 16 of the 2022/23 Copa del Rey when they defeated RFEF Second Division side CP Cacereno 1-0 on Tuesday night.
It was far from a convincing display from the reigning champions of Spain and Europe. But, they ultimately prevailed thanks to a second-half golazo from Rodrygo Goes.
It was yet another important goal that the young forward has scored for the team and according to AS (h/t Madrid Zone), manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that it will be very hard to bench the Brazilian international after his most recent display.
Rodrygo came up with clutch goals for Real Madrid throughout the last season, playing a crucial role in their La Liga and UEFA Champions League triumphs.
However, despite his contributions, Rodrygo continues to be used largely as a rotation option. Karim Benzema’s injury problems have meant that he has seen regular game-time, but when everyone is fit Ancelotti has preferred the frontline of Benzema, Vinicius Junior, and Federico Valverde.
So far this season, the 21-year-old has plundered eight goals and five assists across all competitions from 21 games. Those are impressive numbers from the youngster, who continues to push for a greater role in Ancelotti’s plans.
Rodrygo joined Real Madrid from Santos in the summer of 2019. Having had to bide his time, the Brazilian has started to deliver on his immense potential. It is clear that the Merengues have a gem on their hands and it is up to Ancelotti to figure out how he can utilise his talents regularly.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
