Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Courtois, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Valverde – ‘Most complete player in the world’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the La Liga standings when they take on Real Valladolid away at Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Saturday night.

The reigning champions head into the game on the back of three consecutive wins across competitions, during which they have scored 14 goals and conceded four.

The aim will be to build on that momentum and continue taking a step towards retaining their La Liga crown even as rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona lurk close behind.

Ahead of the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media and addressed several topics, including the rumours of Saudi Arabia’s plan to make a world-record bid for Vinicius Jr.

On the game and the league

Kicking things off, the Italian tactician touched on how Real Madrid will approach tomorrow’s contest, saying:

“The objective is clear: we’ve reached the top of the table and it’s time to keep our position. It’s an important moment in La Liga and we have to make the most of it.”

It will be Real Madrid’s eighth games in a little over three weeks and as such, Ancelotti was asked if he was planning to make some rotations on Saturday.

“We give the match the importance it deserves: it’s very important. We have to keep the lead. And I’m going to field the best possible team. It’s a demanding schedule, but we have a good rhythm. And it’s time to keep going,” he replied.

On Vinicius’ future

As mentioned before, Saudi Arabia are preparing a world-record €350 million bid for Vinicius Jr., but Ancelotti downplayed the matter, stating that the Brazilian is very happy at Real Madrid and wants to continue making history at the club.

“What I know for sure, as I have direct information, is that he is very happy here. And that he wants to make history here. We are all in that line,” said the manager.

On whether these rumours and reports have an effect on the 24-year-old superstar, Ancelotti replied:

“He’s the same as always. Not playing tomorrow will be good for him to recover, to work calmly. He’ll make the most of these days. And he’ll be fresh at the key moment.”

Upon being asked what he thought of the phrase ‘Madrid knows how to live without Vinicius’, Ancelotti hit back saying:

“I think they’ve forgotten that we’ve already won two Champions League titles with him. That’s my opinion. He’s an indisputable player, without a doubt.”

On further being asked if he would understand if the Brazilian international thought about the offer from Saudi Arabia, the 65-year-old remarked:

“You’d have to ask him. I can say what I see: a happy player, who is making history and who wants to continue.”

On other players

Earlier today, Belgium named Rudi Garcia as their new manager following the sacking of Domenico Tedesco. When asked if Thibaut Courtois would now return to the national team, Ancelotti said:

“It’s up to him to decide. If he wants to come back, we have no problem. Not at all. It will be something Thibaut will discuss with the coach.”

The manager then highlighted the importance of Federico Valverde in the team, explaining: “Obviously he is a complete player, very, very important. He can cover many positions and in all of them he does it perfectly: pivot, interior… it’s very difficult to find a right-back like him.”

Most complete player in the world according to Ancelotti. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“It’s difficult to choose his best position, so I try to choose his best position in the team. If he is needed more as a right-back, he will play there, if he is a midfielder, there.

“He never demands anything and this is a virtue too. He is probably the most complete player in the world at the moment. He could be a centre-back, no problem.”

There was also a lot of praise for Dani Ceballos, who has grown in stature in recent weeks at Real Madrid, as Ancelotti said:

“Ceballos has contributed a lot in this period. He’s back to his best after several muscular problems and now he’s looking very good. He looks more confident on the ball. He can play in the important games, of course he can.”

Rodrygo has been in red-hot form in recent weeks and highlighting the reason behind his improvement, the Real Madrid boss remarked:

“His continuity. Something he didn’t have in the past, where he stood out a lot some days and others, less. Now he is more continuous in the game and that makes him stand out.

“For a forward, it’s normal to have ups and downs, it’s true, but when you get the numbers he’s getting now, with continuity, you can see that.”

The manager also provided fitness updates on the French duo of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, saying:

“Tchouameni is fine, he’s back. And the rest are also fine. The only thing missing is Camavinga, who will be available very soon, maybe next week.”

In recent press conferences, Ancelotti has time and again insisted that his Real Madrid side need to defend better and that is the key to their success this season. On being asked if the message had gotten across to the dressing room, he said:

“Yes, it’s something we’ve talked about a lot in recent periods and we’ll continue to do so. We’re focusing on improving at the back, the team understands that and they’re doing it, without a doubt. They are aware that it is the key to success.”

On the recent string of debuts being handed to academy players, Ancelotti noted: “The idea is always the same: to win. If it’s with homegrown players, fine, because they deserve to play.

“They are taking advantage of the opportunities that injuries have opened up, for now. Asencio, Jacobo, Loren… they are people who are taking advantage of the absentees we’ve had.”

Source: AS