Real Madrid News
France coach agrees with Ancelotti on ideal role for Real Madrid star – ‘His best position is…’
France head coach Didier Deschamps has made it clear that Kylian Mbappe’s best position is as a centre forward, pointing to his outstanding goal-scoring record this season with Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.
The statement comes ahead of France’s Nations League third-place playoff against Germany, as the manager gave his thoughts on the star striker’s role both for club and country.
“He is used to playing in that position and is very effective,” said Deschamps during the pre-match press conference.
“It’s no coincidence he finished as Europe’s top scorer; no one has scored more than him. He may not have [Olivier] Giroud’s record yet, but I believe his best position is up front as the number 9.”
Mbappe adjusting to his new role
Interestingly, Mbappe himself has started to come around to the idea of being a central striker, despite previously showing reluctance. “Being the number 9 for club and national team isn’t the same,” he admitted.
“But I think I’ve made progress. I’m starting to get used to the position. In football, everything is unpredictable, and now I’m a centre forward.”
In the past, the 26-year-old openly expressed frustration when asked to play centrally for France, while he operated more comfortably on the left flank at Paris Saint-Germain.
That wing role allowed him to cut in on his stronger right foot, a position he preferred. However, things have changed significantly since his move to Real Madrid.
Under Ancelotti in the 2024/25 season, Mbappe was consistently been used as a number 9, while Vinicius Jr. held the left-wing role.
The tactical adjustment appears to have suited him well, as his goal tally speaks for itself, and both the club and national team are beginning to benefit from his evolution.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
