Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti planning ‘new’ tactics for Eden Hazard and Rodrygo next season
Real Madrid cruised through most of last season with ease, steamrolling through competition in La Liga, and making miraculous comebacks in the Champions League.
Toni Kroos was unplayable during the first half of the campaign, with Luka Modric carrying the midfield through most of their UCL games. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga acted as more than able deputies, while Nacho did not put a foot wrong as the first-choice CB backup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest, and probably only problem through the season was not having an ideal backup for Karim Benzema. But if reports from El Chiringuito are to be believed, the Italian has a sound plan to escape that worry.
He intends to use Eden Hazard and Rodrygo in a false 9 capacity to cover for Benzema next season.
Now that Luka Jovic has moved to Fiorentina and Gareth Bale to Los Angeles, Ancelotti just has Mariano Diaz as a natural striker. And with all due respect, he is probably not at the level Madrid expect or want.
Ancelotti actually tried using a false 9 once last season, against Barcelona no less. With the Frenchman injured, he deployed Luka Modric in that capacity hoping to create overloads in the midfield.
It did not quite work out for him as planned, though, as Xavi’s side ran riots at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving him with a 0-4 win.
Reports last week claimed that Hazard had requested Ancelotti to switch his position next season, hoping for a role more ‘central’ role.
Madrid Universal’s take
It makes sense that Ancelotti might want to use Hazard and Rodrygo as backups to Benzema next season.
Not only do both of them have experience playing in a role similar to that — Hazard under Conte, and Rodrygo at Santos —, but their first-choice role in the team – the left-wing – is pretty much property of Vinicius Jr.
They cannot replicate Benzema’s prowess in the penalty area, but their tactical and technical prowess allows them to act as the perfect outlets between midfield and attack to progress the attack.
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
