Real Madrid News
Chelsea defender wants Ancelotti to manage Brazil: “I would love it”
Real Madrid and Chelsea are pitted against each other in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of the second leg, it is the Merengues who boast of a two goal advantage. However, not all the news linking the two European powerhouses is around their tussle on the field.
As revealed by TJ Sports USA, Chelsea captain and star defender Thiago Silva commented on Carlo Ancelotti’s links with the Brazilian National Team earlier this week, once again fuelling talks of the manager’s exit.
“Being honest, I would love it to be him, because of the friendship we have and the understanding. He was my first coach in Europe, at Milan. What he has done throughout his career shows he is ready,” he said.
“I don’t know if I’ll be a part of the Brazil team, but I’d love him to accept the offer and make the team play the way he wants football to be played.”
It is usually an unsaid rule in the world of football to not discuss the futures of contracted individuals publicly. After all, it is a mark of respect.
However, that has not stopped Brazilian players from openly talking about Ancelotti as their next manager, with even Vinicius Jr following suit.
“I believe Ancelotti wants to become Brazil’s manager,” he said in an interview, echoing the thoughts of other Selecao stars like Ederson.
While the South American setup’s interest in the Italian has been confirmed by the CBF itself, the possibility no longer seems to exist on the table.
Earlier today, reports stated that it was both Carlo Ancelotti and Davide Ancelotti’s priority to stay at Real Madrid and see out their contracts, thus putting to bed any possibility of a departure in June. The manager repeated the same in his pre-match press conference.
Thus, it remains to be seen if the Brazilian national team setup wait another year with an interim coach in the hope of signing Ancelotti or drop their pursuit.
Thiago Silva, meanwhile, is expected to start when Real Madrid take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. His side stare at a huge mountain to climb, and it is safe to say that Los Blancos are the favourites to advance given their record in knockout games.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
