Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend best placed to replace Ancelotti if he leaves, but Florentino Perez not fully convinced
As rumours of Carlo Ancelotti’s potential move to Brazil next summer intensify, Real Madrid are keeping all their options open.
While the Merengues are reportedly in favor of extending the contract of the four-time Champions League winner, the possibility of him hitting the exit door is very much in the offing, as Brazil remain hopeful of his arrival.
As such, in the event Ancelotti decides to part ways, Real Madrid’s succession plan for him is taking shape.
Xabi Alonso is best placed to replace Ancelotti
Indeed, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Xabi Alonso is one of the best-placed options to take over at Real Madrid if Ancelotti leaves.
Prior reports have also stated that the former Real Madrid legend has a pact with Bayer Leverkusen to leave the club if he receives an offer from one of his former clubs, i.e., Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Liverpool.
Alonso is currently in the midst of an excellent season with Bayer Leverkusen, as they are flying high in the Bundesliga. With his team leading the points table, the 42-year-old manager continues to prove why he is hailed as one of the most exciting coaches around.
Florentino has some reservations
However, the report also states that Real Madrid president Florentino is not as convinced as some top executives over the recruitment of Xabi Alonso as Ancelotti’s successor.
Perez’s preference for experienced managers has been well documented in recent times, and perhaps Alonso, as a young coach, does not meet the required criteria for the Real Madrid president, even though he is understood to be impressed by the ex-midfielder’s growth.
Murmurs of Zenidine Zidane also returning in case Ancelotti leaves have been doing the rounds. The coach left Los Blancos on mixed terms but is reportedly tempted to make his managerial comeback.
Time will tell how the saga unfolds, as uncertainty currently enshrouds Ancelotti’s future.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
