Ancelotti talks Endrick, Modric, Kroos, Guler, final season at Real Madrid – ‘We lost our entire starting defence’ | OneFootball

As the current manager of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti unsurprisingly finds himself working with many of the players he had at his disposal at Real Madrid.

One such player who he did not provide sufficient game time in Madrid was Endrick, the young striker who broke numerous records and arrived at the club amidst much hype.

Unfortunately for the youngster, however, his situation has not significantly changed even after the arrival of Xabi Alonso and his lack of game time has seen him fall from prominence for the Selecao. 

Earlier this week, there was word that Ancelotti had advised the player to look for a new club and play regularly to stay relevant for the FIFA World Cup.

Ancelotti clears the air

In a recent interview with AS, the former Real Madrid manager confirmed that all rumours about him asking Endrick to leave Real Madrid are false, reaffirming the mutual respect between him and Los Blancos.

“Endrick won’t go to the World Cup? He’s a very important player, a talent. We’re evaluating him. But it’s not true that I said Endrick should leave Real Madrid to go to the World Cup.”

“It’s a matter between Real Madrid and the player. Those who say I said that are wrong,” he added.

Ancelotti then urged Endrick himself to take the matter up and discuss his future with the club.

“He should talk to the club and make the best decision for himself and for Real Madrid.

“I would never advise Real Madrid on what to do with one of their players. The club knows very well what it has to do.”

On club legends

Ancelotti says it’s impossible to replace Modric and Kroos. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Ancelotti then spoke about some of the legendary Real Madrid players he was lucky to manage including Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Commenting on the Portuguese talisman’s dream of scoring 1000 goals, he said,

“He’s going to do it, for sure. Have no doubt he’ll achieve it.”

“In Italy, they recently asked me about Modric and him being 40 years, and I told them that of course he was going to play well at Milan,” he added on Luka Modric.

Praising the aforementioned duo, the Brazil NT manager called them professionals who loved the game.

“Luka and Cristiano are professionals who love football and are passionate about the sport. They will always achieve whatever they want.”

“Cristiano will surely reach 1,000 goals, but when he does, he shouldn’t forget to invite me to the celebration of that incredible record (laughs),” he added.

Finally, he spoke on how such legends are impossible to replace.

“Finding another Kroos or Modric is IMPOSSIBLE.” 

On his last season at Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s failure to win any major title last season cost Carlo Ancelotti his job, and the manager was asked what went wrong at the time in his perspective.

Ancelotti left Real Madrid last summer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“What went wrong last season? We lost our entire starting defence.

“We lost Carvajal and Militao, and Rudiger played with a serious injury. Luckily, Asencio came up through the youth ranks and did very well.”

“Let’s not forget that I often had to play Valverde at RB and Tchouameni at CB, which left the midfield with significant absences,” he added.

On how the defensive fragility affected his plans and led to the team’s collapse, Ancelotti said,

“We lost solidity at the back, and that cost us titles.”

“I don’t think it was because of Kroos [leaving the club], because we adapted to playing with other midfielders like Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Tchouameni, or Valverde,” he added on how Kroos’ departure did not break the team.

“Guler also improved and is playing very well now. We have great midfielders, but finding another Kroos or Modric is impossible,” he concluded.