Los Blancos are said to be experimenting with a new system but it could mean sidelining some of their biggest stars
Something happened at Real Madrid with the contract with Jude Bellingham. Los Blancos’s midfield could be very good. Coach Carlo Ancelotti suddenly has a wealth of assets: six potentially world-class midfielders spread across four positions.
The natural reaction was for the manager to suggest a line-up change. Ancelotti has admitted he could play with his team and field newcomer Bellingham as No.10, allowing him to include three more of his best players. This could be the dream scenario for Bellingham, who can run, craft and shoot endlessly, while having the feet and defensive ability behind him to ensure freedom of movement.
But that doesn’t make the coach’s job any easier. They have left Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchoumeni and Dani Ceballos, and only three starting spots remain to be filled.
Ancelotti has shown in the past that he is not afraid of rotation. Both Kruse and Modric are aging and it is likely that they will play their last season at the club. But when he is fit, he should be in the team. This would involve keeping two players on the bench between Camavinga, Tchoumeni and Valverde, which is practically impossible. And what about Ceballos, the forgotten man turned useful player? Nor can it be denied. Matters have been further complicated by the signing of ‘Turkish Messi’ Arda Guler.
So how does it all work? How can Ancelotti fit seven players into four positions, and who can play where? GOAL gives you an overview of all possible options…
(tagstotranslate)Real Madrid(T)J. Bellingham(T)L. Modric(T)E. Camavinga(T)T. Kruse(T)A. Tchoumeni