Opinions
How Ancelotti has satisfied Real Madrid’s two biggest personalities and kept the peace
At the start of the season, Real Madrid faced a significant challenge regarding the integration of two of the most talented players in world football: Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
Both players are highly skilled and have similar playing styles, and they share the same position in the attack. This created a potential conflict of egos, as both wanted to be the star and play in the same role on the left wing.
However, Carlo Ancelotti has managed to handle this situation with great skill and foresight, ensuring that both players feel valued and are contributing effectively to the team’s success.
How did Ancelotti manage the situation?
Ancelotti began the season by positioning Vinicius on the left wing and Mbappe as the central forward, or No. 9.
However, as the French forward struggled to find the back of the net in the early stages of the season, Ancelotti made the tactical decision to switch things up.
In the matches against Osasuna and Leganes, Mbappe was moved to the left-wing position, allowing him and Vinicius to rotate freely in the attack. This shift not only accommodated both players but also allowed for a more fluid attacking style.
By strengthening the midfield and shifting some responsibilities, Ancelotti gave both Vinicius and Mbappe the freedom to explore different attacking options.
Furthermore, Jude Bellingham, who has not made the desired impact so far this season, was tasked with a deeper role in midfield, providing stability while allowing the two wingers to focus on creating and finishing chances.
Ancelotti deserves the credit
Ancelotti’s ability to manage the playing time and egos of both Vinicius and Mbappe has also been key to maintaining harmony within the squad.
The manager has ensured that both players feel important and are regularly involved in key moments, but also that they are rested when necessary.
For instance, during the Osasuna match, Vinicius was substituted after completing a hat-trick, while Mbappe stayed on the pitch in search of his own goal.
On the other hand, in the Leganes match, Mbappe, having already scored, was substituted, and Vinicius remained on the pitch in search of his goal.
These tactical decisions were not based on physical fatigue because if that were case, Vinicius should have gone off considering his national team commitment.
Instead, they were motivated by Ancelotti’s desire to keep both players happy and ensure that they are given the opportunity to shine.
Can anyone else do it?
Ancelotti’s careful management of Vinicius and Mbappe has resulted in a balanced partnership that benefits Real Madrid both on and off the pitch.
While the players still compete for the same position, they have learned to work together, creating a dynamic partnership that provides Real Madrid with a lethal attacking threat.
The team’s attacking potential has never been stronger, and with Vinicius and Mbappe combining their skills, there is the possibility of a new era of success for the club.
This situation is an example of Ancelotti’s managerial expertise. The decision to bring in two star players with similar playing styles could have caused problems, but Ancelotti has handled it masterfully, ensuring both players have the opportunity to contribute while keeping their egos in check.
Real Madrid now have one of the most potent attacking duos in world football, and if this partnership continues to flourish, it could lead to even greater successes in the future.
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was full of activity, albeit not consistently throughout the break.
Their activity was top-heavy as they did most of the big hitting before the FIFA World Cup in June. They continued to keep tabs on targets beyond that, but the emphasis shifted to departures.
While the club did make multiple big name signings across the field to significantly bulk up the squad, they balanced them out with departures primarily from the academy.
Most of the team’s income arrived from youth player sales, totalling over €200 million.
In the end, the objective was always to build a team that can go on to challenge for all titles and prevent a third straight trophy less campaign.
Madrid Universal brings you the ratings of every Real Madrid transfer operation this summer.
Arrivals
Yan Diomande
Diomande arrives with a massive tag on his back – that of being the club’s most expensive signing in history, and it is clear that the pressure will be on him from the get-go.
While Michael Olise was the club’s top target for the right wing, they shifted focus to Diomande after it became clear that they could not sign the Frenchman.
The negotiations were long, and RB Leipzig eventually extracted a record sum of €140 million, including add-ons.
The teenage winger has impressed in training but is yet to come good in an official game. His pacey dribbling, good combination play and 1v1 skills make him the perfect candidate for a counter-attacking system, and he is thus tailor-made for Jose Mourinho’s system.
Transfer rating: 8
Marc Cucurella
Real Madrid’s premier Spanish signing ahead of La Roja’s FIFA World Cup campaign saw his stocks shoot up after the tournament as he delivered a campaign for the ages with the national team.
Cucurella’s arrival gives Real Madrid a serious lift at left-back as he is one of the best defensive full-backs around while also maintaining a consistent attacking output.
He will be the manager’s starting option on the left of defence and has already shown signs of great adaptation to the dynamics.
The club did shell out a significant fee of €55 million for his signing from Chelsea, but he appears to be one of the lower-risk incorporations.
Transfer rating: 9
Carlos Espi
Perhaps the biggest surprise signing of them all, Real Madrid completed the arrival of Espi in a matter of hours after leaks appeared, moving with real purpose and clarity.
The idea of bringing the player in was to replace the departing Gonzalo Garcia who has been the team’s backup striker in recent seasons.
However, Espi’s arrival throws doubts on where Endrick stands on the pecking order.
Espi, who was signed for €25 million, has begun the season strongly and even scored the winner for the club on Matchday 1 against Espanyol. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics change when Endrick is back in action.
Transfer rating: 8
Denzel Dumfries
Signing Dumfries with Trent Alexander-Arnold already in the squad was not a major surprise, considering that Real Madrid lost Dani Carvajal. But it was also an indication of how Mourinho has a clear liking for defensive full-backs.
The Dutchman, who arrived for €20 million from Inter Milan, brings precisely that to the table.
He may not be as potent in attack as Trent, but he is much more reliable on the defensive side and Mourinho even handed him the start in Real Madrid’s opening two league games.
He will be in a season-long battle with the England international for the starting spot, but that is a good problem for Mourinho to have.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Ibrahima Konate
The French centre-back arrived on a free transfer from Liverpool to add depth to Real Madrid’s defence, and has now fit in as a direct replacement for David Alaba.
Despite being a new signing, however, Konate is not guaranteed a starting spot and is in a fight with Antonio Rudiger to partner Dean Huijsen at the back. Eder Militao’s return could even push him into a background role soon.
On a free move, Konate’s arrival is a massive boost for Real Madrid. Yet, it is clear that the player has his limitations and that he may not be the elite starting centre-back the manager wanted.
Transfer rating: 8
Bernardo Silva
Silva’s transfer saga was one of the many tug-of-wars between Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer, but one where Los Blancos eventually came out on top.
Arriving at the Spanish capital club as a free agent, the Portuguese midfielder may not be able to play in the role he has traditionally excelled in because Jude Bellingham is a starter in that department.
Instead, Mourinho plans to use him as a pivot where he has not particularly lit up the field so far.
As an acquisition, Silva is a big name and could well come good. Stylistically and in terms of the profile he is being asked to cover, however, the output may not match the initial expectations.
Transfer rating: 7
Sergio Martinez
Martinez arrived close to deadline day in a relatively low-profile move from Racing Santander and will be registered with the Castilla side this season.
The 19-year-old starlet does, however, have the doors to the first-team wide open. He has already trained under Jose Mourinho and been included in the squad for the game vs Real Betis.
As a young and promising midfielder, he stands out with a profile that Real Madrid direly lacks.
He offers a creative and controlling presence, and his chance in the first team could well arrive very soon. His transfer for only €3 million could well be Real Madrid’s lowest investment that yields an unexpectedly high output.
Transfer rating: 7
Departures
Gonzalo Garcia
Gonzalo Garcia’s departure was an excellent piece of business for a backup player by Real Madrid as the club sold him to Fulham for a fee of €42 million.
While he has been a great asset for the club in recent years, Garcia’s departure has helped the club bring in financial benefits even after accounting for the signing of his replacement in Carlos Espi.
On a personal level, it is a great move for the player as he links up with Alvaro Arbeloa once again.
Transfer rating: 9
Fran Garcia
The left-back position was always marked as a critical department for a departure this summer, and the plan to sign Marc Cucurella made it all the more clear that at least one of the existing three left-backs must leave.
That exit, eventually, was Fran Garcia as he left the club for €4 million to join Real Betis in the summer. Real Madrid do, however, retain a 50% sell-on clause which could be handy in the future.
While the fee may not be significant, getting the player’s wages off the bill was critical for Real Madrid, especially given that there was a sheer overload of players for one starting spot.
Transfer rating: 8
David Alaba
Real Madrid opted against renewing the deal of David Alaba’s contract, bringing an end to the veteran defender’s chapter at the club at a good point.
Injuries have weighed heavily on the player in recent years, making him a liability to the club in a sporting and financial sense.
The decision not to renew his contract was made several months ago, and the club did not change their mind despite his handy performances towards the end of the season.
In all ways, it was a much-needed exit in the larger scheme.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Dani Carvajal
As was the case with Alaba, Real Madrid opted against renewing the deal of Dani Carvajal, bringing an end to the captain’s long bond with the club.
Carvajal’s departure marked the official end of Real Madrid’s previous generation at the club, and he leaves his department in the stable hands of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries.
There was talk of keeping the player for one more season to keep the dressing room under control, but the club eventually decided against such a move.
Transfer rating: 8.5
Dani Ceballos
Dani Ceballos has had a difficult time at Real Madrid in recent years and still has a contract in place until next summer. His lack of minutes and Mourinho’s stance of not counting on the player led to a complicated summer.
Eventually, the midfielder terminated his contract with Real Madrid, freeing the club of his wages, and went on to be a free agent. He signed for his boyhood club Real Betis on deadline day and will join Fran Garcia there.
The outcome is a positive one for Real Madrid as they managed to remove a piece of deadwood from Mourinho’s blueprint and also opened up a spot on the first-team roster.
Transfer rating: 9
Franco Mastantuono
One of the more shocking departures from Real Madrid this summer was that of Franco Mastantuono – the young Argentine prodigy who arrived on a big fee just last summer.
The 19-year-old starlet has left the club on a season-long loan to Fiorentina to get more playing minutes under his belt, but that decision also lays the basis for the claim that Mourinho does not count on him as a quality option.
While it is a good outcome for Real Madrid in terms of keeping the player’s development active, it is also a massive blow considering the fee they paid for him just last summer. The rationale of sending out such a highly rated talent on loan remains unclear.
Transfer rating: 6
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s summer transfer window was everything fans expected and more after two trophyless seasons at the club.
Los Blancos did make four massive signings last summer, all of which largely disappointed. Many of the recently concluded window’s signings unsurprisingly address the same positions.
In terms of arrivals, the club will be proud of their window as they brought in serious match-winners in Bernardo Silva, Cucurella, Dumfries and Diomande.
They eventually fell short in two departments they hoped to reinforce and would have liked to add another starting centre-back and central midfielder. That, however, does not go to say that the existing options will not suffice.
Simultaneously, Real Madrid also pulled off a great transfer window in terms of departures as they got rid of some big-earning non-performers and made huge sales from the Castilla side.
They would have liked to sell a few more players like Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio, but the players understandably stood by their contract.
Striking a good balance between incoming players and sales, Real Madrid will be largely proud of their efforts in the summer. They will be fiercely competitive now, and there are no more excuses for underperforming.
Overall transfer window rating: 8.5/10
