Real Madrid News
Real Madrid consider 19-year-old midfielder as the ‘perfect project’ for the senior team
Real Madrid have not been able to go toe-for-toe with Barcelona when it comes to youth team exports in recent times, with the Catalans producing the likes of Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez, all of whom are touted for big things.
While Madrid have several talented young players in their squad, one player they consider the perfect project, though, is La Fabrica midfielder Nico Paz, as per a report by MARCA.
Currently deploying his trade for Castilla, Nico Paz made his debut for the senior team this week against SC Braga in the Champions League, replacing Federico Valverde in the second half.
The Argentine has his future written with the first team, and Real Madrid are confident that he will be an integral part of their project across the next decade or so.
He will be called up regularly for the senior team this season, with Carlo Ancelotti hoping that playing alongside the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, among others, will help him learn for at least one season before the duo departs.
The complete midfielder
The Real Madrid coaching staff believes that Nico Paz is a complete midfielder, and brings together all key components of the team’s successes in recent times.
He is very technical and can ply his trade as a central midfielder or an attacking midfielder given his pace and strength. He is, in fact, the top scorer for Castilla this season with six goals to his name.
Safely at the Bernabeu
Nico Paz’s future is not under threat, either, with his contract running until 2027. Real Madrid will likely open extension talks with him over the next year or so, especially after he is integrated in the first-team over the next season.
For now, he will be called up regularly to the senior squad, even if minutes are hard to come by and the competition is tough.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
