Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's coach, has acknowledged a remarkable change in one of his players, something uncommon in his leadership style. The Italian coach is known for being quite firm with his decisions and generally doesn't tend to rectify or change his opinion about his footballers. However, Dani Ceballos's evolution has been so remarkable that even Ancelotti has had to give in.
Ceballos, who at the beginning of the season had practically no playing time, has managed to turn his situation around. What seemed to be a lost season for the Andalusian midfielder has turned out to be a turning point in his career. As the months have passed, he has become a key player for Real Madrid and, according to Ancelotti, the "new Toni Kroos."
A Difficult Start
The start of the season was especially challenging for Dani Ceballos. Despite being a player with great potential, he wasn't in Ancelotti's plans.
The lack of minutes and an ankle injury kept him out of the line-ups, which caused frustration for the player. His name practically didn't appear in the drafts, and the option of leaving the club seemed to be the only viable way out.
During the summer, Ceballos expressed his desire to go to Real Betis, the team he had always dreamed of representing. However, Real Madrid didn't accept his departure and decided to keep him in the squad. At that time, it seemed that his future at the club was in doubt, and many thought that, without opportunities, he wouldn't be able to establish himself in the team.
The Radical Change
By the end of November, the situation took a turn. Dani Ceballos began to show a notable improvement in his performance.
His ability to read the game, his tactical intelligence, and his capacity to distribute the ball made Ancelotti start to see him in a new light. The midfielder earned a place in the starting eleven and has been immovable since then.
What surprised many was how quickly Ceballos adapted to Real Madrid's style. His ability to associate with key players like Luka Modric and Federico Valverde allowed him to become an essential piece in Ancelotti's scheme. His versatility allows him to play in various midfield positions, which has granted him greater confidence from the coach.