It’s go again. Last week, Real Madrid returned to school at Valdebebas. Without several internationals and without Karim Benzema, who joined Al-Ittihad, the Merengues were able to count on several recruits like Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz or Arda Güler. Moreover, the last two players mentioned made a strong impression during the first sessions. They are on the trip to the United States where Carlo Ancelotti has picked up several internationals.
The work therefore continues for the Mister, who took the opportunity to give his first press briefing of the season. “We have always felt good here (in the United States). It’s a nice place, we can train well, we have important matches where we can see where the team is at. All players returned in good condition. We are confident and delighted to start the season well.”he explained before being asked about the transfer market and new signings.
Ancelotti is happy with the transfer window
“I am very happy with the players who have arrived, they will help us and bring quality to the squad. Fran Garcia will occupy the left side very well where we had problems last year. Joselu can bring us a little more in the aerial game, at the penalty spot. Arda Güler is very talented, he is very young, I think the public will appreciate this player. Jude Bellingham is a great midfielder with qualities that we don’t have in the squad. He projects very well forward without the ball. The squad has improved.”
He then added: “I want to try something new at the start of the season. We’ll see how it goes, and if it doesn’t go well, we still have the old system that gave us so much in the past.” The Italian therefore confirmed the trend, namely that he should abandon his traditional 4-3-3 to bet on a 4-4-2. However, this could change if an attacker arrives. And all eyes are on Kylian Mbappé.
The Mister is cash for KM7
But Ancelotti was clear. “I never talked about players who are not at Madrid. I can talk about the number of new players we have: Bellingham, Fran García, Arda Güler. Brahim too, who is coming back very well from his Milan experience. He is a stronger and more complete player. I can also talk about the quality of Modric, Vinicius or Rodrygo. Talking about who’s not there doesn’t seem fair to me.” Then, when a journalist asked him if KM7 could be the natural replacement for KB9, the Madrid coach was cash.
“We already have him (Benzema’s replacement, editor’s note). It can be Joselu or we can play with another system. An answer that intrigued the press, which revived the Mister by asking him if Madrid could hold a season with only one real n°9. Again, the answer was clear. “Yes yes. It’s true that we’ve always had Karim, even if he wasn’t a newcomer, but the system can be adapted to the characteristics of the players. A player who has arrived can bring a lot offensively, like Bellingham.”. With or without Mbappé, Carlo Ancelotti already has ideas in mind for Real Madrid version 2023-24.
