5 Real Madrid players Carlo Ancelotti needs to trust more
2. Miguel Gutierrez
On number two, we have the Castilla sensation, Miguel Gutierrez. Gutierrez had put the Spanish stage on fire towards the end of last season with a brilliant assist for Luka Modric at Los Carmenes. That was the highlight so far but his overall play had been brilliant. In absence of Ferland Mendy with Marcelo’s receding form, Gutierrez put his best foot forward to close the season off, fighting until the last day to defend their league crown.
The story extended itself at the start of the new season as well. He played really well in the opening games when Ferland Mendy was still injured. But, since the Frenchman’s return, he hasn’t been a regular with the squad. There have been problems, he contracted COVID and had running injury problems but now seems like the right time for him to return to first-flight action.
I think it is very much visible that Real Madrid is in desperate need of a new Spanish base of players. And, homegrown talents are always the better route to follow. The squad has sometimes looked disjointed from Real Madrid’s core values. And I think channeling your own Academy players is a great way to keep the club ideals and values always intact. FC Barcelona seems to be doing something similar under Xavi Hernandez for example.
I think Miguel Gutierrez could be the face of this transition. He has what it takes to excel at the highest level which is why there has been transfer interest around the prodigy. Moreover, Real Madrid cannot continue relying upon the out-of-favor legs of Marcelo or for that matter the makeshift legs of Nacho. That should be the club’s best resort in case of a crisis. Especially when there is someone like Miguel Gutierrez ready for selection.
I also think Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t shown much trust or interest in the Academy players unlike Zidane did last season. It led to the discovery of Miguel Gutierrez who made a name for himself in world football in such limited times. Carlo Ancelotti should do the needful in that department. There are capable players like Rafa Marin and Peter Gonzalez who can come in handy for Real Madrid.