Real Madrid News
Ancelotti considers ‘untouchable’ Real Madrid midfielder as ‘one of the best in the world’
Over the past couple of seasons, Federico Valverde has grown a lot in stature at Real Madrid. Even though he has had to compete with the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, the Uruguayan international has managed to carve out a spot for himself in the side.
A central midfielder by trade, Valverde has also made himself a very useful option for the right-wing berth under Carlo Ancelotti and continues to put in tremendous displays one after the other irrespective of where he is deployed by the manager.
Valverde was the Man of the Match as Real Madrid defeated RB Leipzig 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old scored another goal last night to build on his wondrous strike against RCD Mallorca over the weekend.
Recently, there have been a lot of reports claiming that Valverde was a target for Liverpool late in the summer transfer window, with the Reds even pondering making a club-record bid to pry him away from Real Madrid, although the two clubs have downplayed those rumours.
And reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on those speculations, stating that Valverde’s name was never discussed by any suitor during the summer window as he is regarded as ‘untouchable’ by Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan is a favourite of Ancelotti. So much so that, the Italian tactician and his coaching staff consider Valverde to be ‘one of the best in the world’ in the present and for the future, Romano adds.
Valverde joined Real Madrid from Uruguayan outfit Penarol in the summer of 2016 for a fee of just €5 million. One of the jewels unearthed by Juni Calafat, the 24-year-old spent a year with Castilla and then had a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna before becoming a first-team member.
To date, he has made 156 appearances for the Merengues, scoring nine goals and setting up ten more. Valverde signed a new long-term contract with Real Madrid last year, committing his future to the Spanish capital club until 2027.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
Mokgothu Leboko
September 15, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Yes,Federico Valverde is now playing wonders,if he does not on the ball the team looks to be lost but just as the ball is at his feet all players become active and start to see the light.Valverde is gonna one-day make a good striker,as he is able to play any position.I like when he start to have the ball from deep on his side and start to cross to the opponent side running with the ball,I usually know something has to happen.He is a good player.
Alfredo Castro
September 15, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Fede is quickly becoming one of the pillars of this Madrid’s present & future. It is exciting to see these youngsters stepping up and producing as if they were 10-year vets. Hala Madrid!
Sarki Mohammed Yaro
September 15, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Fede is now the secret of Real Madrid. He is going, strong, quick and agile. Madrid is blessed to have Modric and Casimero, Rodrigo, Nacho and Kronos in one. He sparks the game when everyone is asleep.
In Fede, Vinga and Aurelien Mddrid is in the next generation already