5 Real Madrid players who could flourish under Carlo Ancelotti

New Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti
New Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti

#3 Fede Valverde

Liverpool FC v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg Two
Liverpool FC v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg Two

Fede Valverde is considered to be the next big thing in the Real Madrid midfield. Given that Luka Modric is 35 and is unlikely to play week in and week out, Los Blancos will expect Valverde to step up.

During his best spell for Real Madrid last season before his campaign was marred by injuries, Valverde became an integral part of Real Madrid's midfield. He operates higher up the pitch than the likes of Kroos and Modric and often join the attack from the right side of the pitch.

His versatility enables him to slot in anywhere in midfield. Valverde has shown that he can thrive in a box-to-box role just as well as he can in the role on a number 10.

Ancelotti was one of the best midfielders of his generation and he can bring the best out of Valverde. The technically proficient youngster could in fact be one of the faces of the new era under the new manager.

#2 Rodrygo Goes

FC Internazionale v Real Madrid: Group B - UEFA Champions League
FC Internazionale v Real Madrid: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Rodrygo Goes is arguably the best winger at Real Madrid right now. During his last stint as the manager of Los Blancos, Carlo Ancelotti was able to transform Angel Di Maria from a tricky winger into one of the best attackers in Europe. Like Rodrygo, Di Maria could operate down both flanks.

Ancelotti used Di Maria in a variety of positions, including central midfield. He will know that in Rodrygo, he has a player he can transform in a similar manner. The 20-year-old is still rough around the edges but Ancelotti's vast experience will help him iron out those shortcomings and become the player he can be.

#1 David Alaba

Bayern Muenchen v SC Freiburg - Bundesliga
Bayern Muenchen v SC Freiburg - Bundesliga

David Alaba is one of the best defenders in the world and the versatile Austrian has now joined Real Madrid. Ancelotti, like most managers these days, likes ball-playing defenders and Alaba's technical abilities will be put to good use.

Ancelotti has previously managed David Alaba at Bayern Munich and the latter was impressed by his man-management skills. In 2016, Alaba told Goal:

"He’s a really cool guy. I think he can get along really well with every single player, with young players but also with big players who have been here at the team for a long time. I think he has a good hand for that.
"Also, I think he’s doing a great job with the young players too. You can see that he has a lot of experience with that. There are reasons that he’s become such a successful coach

Alaba used to play at left-back and loved getting forward under Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich. As good as he is at centre-back, the 28-year-old can play well on the flanks and in midfield. Given the fact that Marcelo is likely to leave this summer, Alaba could be deployed on the left wing every once in a while.

He is someone that Ancelotti will know he can depend on and the partnership is expected to flourish for a second time.


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