Real Madrid News
France planning to deploy Real Madrid midfielder as a makeshift left-back at World Cup
The lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup had been a torrid one for reigning champions France as they kept losing one player after another to injuries.
Indeed, Les Bleus named their initial 26-man squad without key players like N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba. And soon after they were forced to see the backs of Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema as well.
And in their World Cup opener against Australia last night, France were struck down with yet another injury as defender Lucas Hernandez suffered from an ACL tear that has ruled him out of the tournament and the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
A versatile operator, the Bayern Munich ace had been Didier Deschamps’ go-to man for the left-back position, as was the case in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when Les Bleus went all the way. So, his injury comes as a blow for France.
The world champions have a backup player ready to take over in the form of Lucas’ brother Theo Hernandez. But the French national team do not have any further cover in the left-back position which they might need if they go deep into the tournament.
To that end, according to Le Parisien (h/t Madrid Zone), France are seriously considering deploying Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga as a makeshift left-back should the need arise.
The midfielder, who turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, was called up to the World Cup squad due to the absence of players like Pogba and Kante, in order to provide some depth in the midfield department.
However, Deschamps could now turn to the former Rennes prodigy to act as a cover in the left-back slot following Lucas Hernandez’s injury.
Camavinga, throughout his career, has never played in the left-back slot as per the data collected by Transfermarkt. But it seems like the French national team staff has seen something in the Real Madrid ace to consider utilising him in such a position.
It will certainly be intriguing to see if Deschamps does follow through with that idea in the coming weeks.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian national team are ‘dreaming’ of appointing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager.
The Selecao decided to part ways with Tite after the team underdelivered in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Ramon Menezes has taken charge of the senior team for the time being until a permanent appointment is made.
And, the Brazil Football Confederation is clear about who their preferred target is. Ancelotti has been heavily linked with the South American nation in recent months and comments from players like Ederson, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr have only served to further fuel the rumours.
Now, Romano is claiming that Brazil dream of naming Ancelotti as their manager and are hoping that he will be parting ways with Real Madrid at the end of the season.
As far as the situation at the club is concerned, Romano states that Real Madrid are working hard to protect Ancelotti from external pressure as they want him to remain focused on winning the UEFA Champions League this season.
The Italian tactician remains in 100% control of the team at the moment and the club are trying to shield him from external factors.
However, at the same time, trophies are a must at a club of this stature and hence, Romano adds that Real Madrid have a potential list of candidates to take over.
Thomas Tuchel was among the names on the list, but has signed for Bayern Munich. Raul Gonzalez, currently in charge of the Castilla team, is also being looked at along with former Tottenham and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino.
As of now, Ancelotti remains in control of things at Real Madrid and any decision on his future will only be made at the end of the season. And, Brazil are lying in wait to pounce if an opportunity to sign the Italian manager presents itself.
