Carlo Ancelotti's been leaving several clues in recent matches. The reality, however, is that after the Christmas break, it's been shown again: He doesn't trust Raúl Asencio. In the match against Valencia, the Italian once again left the youth player out of the starting line-up, as he doesn't fit into his plans for the most important games. The Canary Islander has become the unfinished business of the coach, who ignores the "recommendations" from above.
What they want at Real Madrid is for their youth academy gems to have importance in the first team, but it seems Ancelotti doesn't think the same way. In recent years, we've seen several examples and now Raúl Asencio has been clearly singled out. Despite performing well when he played, since Tchouaméni's recovery, his most common place on the field has been the bench alongside his teammates.
Raúl Asencio doesn't count for Ancelotti, who has more confidence in a reconverted Tchouaméni who doesn't quite convince in leadership positions. Even though no central defender will arrive in January, Real Madrid's coach would be delighted to have a top-level defender immediately. He doesn't consider the youth player worthy of a starting position in a team of Madrid's caliber and keeps leaving him out.
Official — Carlo Ancelotti Decides on Valencia-Real Madrid: There is Someone Marked
With Raúl Asencio clearly discarded by Carlo Ancelotti, there's a player benefiting from this decision: Tchouaméni. Despite being a reconverted central defender and not generally favored, the truth is that Real Madrid's coach has more confidence in him. It's been proven again in the match against Valencia, with the Canary Islander remaining on the Mestalla bench.
The plan at Real Madrid is clear for next summer market: go for a top-level defender. With Carlo Ancelotti not trusting what he has and doubts about Alaba's recovery, they're looking for a top partner for Rüdiger.
Florentino Pérez won't settle for just anything to strengthen the central defender position: He wants the best possible. Many names have been available in recent months, but the reality is that he's chosen the ideal defender for Madrid. We're talking about William Saliba from Arsenal, whose price exceeds 80 million euros and whose departure seems really complicated.
From Real Madrid, they've already scouted William Saliba's camp, receiving a positive reply to a possible transfer. He has a contract until 2027 and the idea is to get the French central defender to request a transfer to be able to leave.
It's yet to be seen what will happen with the French central defender. One thing is clear at Madrid, however: Carlo Ancelotti doesn't trust Asencio. It's been made clear against Valencia, reconverting Tchouaméni to the defender position once again.