Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward has earned Ancelotti’s complete trust – report
After he concluded an immensely impressive individual season for RCD Espanyol, Real Madrid acquired the services of Joselu last summer on a loan deal with the option to make his transfer permanent.
While Joselu is yet to be labeled a mainstay in the starting XI, his performances have evoked praise from the fanbase following a solid start to life in the Spanish capital.
Now, according to MARCA, coach Carlo Ancelotti has been highly appreciative of Joselu’s start to the season and also chimed in with approval for the 33-year-old target man.
Joselu has earned Ancelotti’s faith
As the coveted Clasico dawns upon Real Madrid, the message from Ancelotti is clear: to widen the distance with Barcelona on the league table by acquiring all three points up for grabs and also utilizing players that can define the course of the match from the bench.
Ancelotti aims to utilize his strong bench strength with Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, and Joselu as such options.
The striker has reportedly been able to completely win over the coach through his hard work and determination since arriving, and thus, minutes against Barcelona are highly plausible.
So far, the Spaniard has bagged a total of nine goals and assists in his Real Madrid tenure, which are impressive numbers given his adaptation phase and limited game time.
A classic No. 9
Joselu has been renowned for scavenging loose balls in the final third and capitalizing on crosses through his innate heading ability.
Off the bench, he can prove to be a wild card with his tendency to make the most of crosses and poach up front.
The goalscorer has previously scored against Barcelona as a goal against the Catalan giants with Espanyol last season silenced the Camp Nou.
Joselu will be aiming to recreate such moments, especially with the coach backing him strongly.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
