Real Madrid’s problems all stem from a single factor that is out of Carlo Ancelotti’s control and it is now beginning to exact a serious price from the team.
The manager has too many big names to handle in his squad – players who simply cannot be benched owing to their brand value – and is thus stuck in a situation where he must build around the dysfunctional core.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, in attack and Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde in midfield are all examples of some players considered undroppable.
While not all of them have been equally poor, they tie the manager’s hands.
Younger players pay the price
As a result of the manager’s selection issues, he has been unable to rotate and make the changes the situation demands of him.
Needless to say, the players paying the price are the up-and-coming youngsters who are lower down the pecking order.
As revealed by Rodra in a recent update, the club hierarchy including Florentino Perez does not understand the lack of minutes for Endrick and Arda Guler for the team as the situation is screaming out for their incorporation.
The manager, however, refuses to budge despite the club president being infuriated by the developments.
The young duo, despite impressing in their few minutes this season, have played a combined one minute in Real Madrid’s last four games across all competitions, which is a clear indicator of how little the coach trusts them.
What makes the situation more appalling is that Ancelotti has not even given them minutes off the bench despite starters underperforming in their positions.
After all, Kylian Mbappe has been horrific at centre-forward, a position that Endrick thrives in, while Guler has not got a chance despite the team’s struggles in finding creativity in the middle of the park.