Real Madrid News
Florentino Perez seeking answers from Ancelotti over underused Real Madrid duo
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly growing concerned about the limited playing time being afforded to two of the club’s brightest young talents, Arda Guler and Endrick.
According to a recent report from Defensa Central, Perez, along with other board members, has started questioning manager Carlo Ancelotti regarding the handling of these players.
The concern stems from their belief that both players have the potential to make significant contributions to the team, but they have not been given enough opportunities to showcase their abilities.
The talent is there, but opportunities are not
Although Guler has begun to see more action in recent matches, his involvement at the start of the season was minimal.
Endrick’s situation is even more troubling, as the Brazilian starlet has only started once and is typically brought on during the closing moments of games.
These brief appearances do little to allow him to make an impact or demonstrate his talent. Such limited roles have left both players and their circles feeling disheartened.
While Ancelotti acknowledges the quality of both youngsters, he appears to prioritise established players to secure the best results for the team.
However, his reluctance to rotate the squad extensively has led to fatigue among some players, who are receiving little rest between matches. This approach could increase the risk of injuries if changes are not made soon.
Guler and Endrick have proved their worth
When given minutes, both Guler and Endrick have shown flashes of their immense potential.
Guler, for instance, played a pivotal role in the second half against Girona, where he not only bolstered the team’s performance but also scored an impressive goal by exploiting defensive gaps.
However, to consistently replicate such performances, the Turkish midfielder needs regular playing time to build confidence akin to what he displays with his national team.
Real Madrid have invested heavily in these two players as part of their long-term strategy. While both youngsters feel the club’s support, the lack of meaningful opportunities has left them somewhat disillusioned.
They believe they can play a vital role in the team, especially during challenging periods. For now, all eyes are on Ancelotti to see if he adjusts his approach and integrates these talents more effectively into the squad.
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.
Hala_Madrid
December 10, 2024 at 11:37 am
The simple answer is to move on from Ancelotti.