Madrid will miss Casemiro but we have Tchouameni and Camavinga-Ancelotti

Ahead of this weekend's against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said the club will miss Manchester United-bound defensive midfielder Casemiro but there are alternatives to the club legend.

"Celta is always a tough game but we've prepared for it well", stated the coach.

"We've prepared well for Saturday's game. It will be different to the Almería clash, Celta have more resources and it's always tough to play there, but we're feeling confident and the team is in good form.

“It was a key game in winning the league last year and this time it comes early in the season but it will be important all the same. We want to continue the good run we're enjoying and fight to win it".

 The Italian coach also revealed that he discussed with Casemiro Friday morning 

“I've discussed it with him . He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity. The club understand it, with all he's done for this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. There are talks right now, he's still a Real Madrid player at this stage, but he wants to leave. If he goes, we have the resources to replace him". 

“I haven't tried to convince him, I just listened, because I have spoken to Casemiro throughout my time here and he has helped us so much. Having heard what he wants, there's no way back. If he doesn't stay, we'll have an enormous sense of gratitude to him for all he's done.

"We have replacements within the squad. Tchouameni was signed for this position and he's one of the best central midfielders on the market right now, then we've got Kroos, who can play in that position too, just like he did in my second year here, and there's Camavinga as well.

“We have other players with different attributes because it's not only a player with the same qualities as Casemiro who can play that position. In my teams I've had players like Pirlo in that position, who had very different attributes to Casemiro but did a great job. Tchouameni is more similar to Casemiro than Kroos in the defensive elements but Kroos can absolutely play there too”.

 

He paid glowing tribute to Casemiro and commended his contributions to Madrid.

 

“Modrić, Casemiro and Kroos have been a hugely important trio for the club and Real Madrid's success over this period. I think Casemiro is fully aware of what Real Madrid means.

"The same thing happened when I was coaching Milan; there comes a time when you feel perfectly happy but you want to try something new. I was in a great position, the club was like family to me, but you just want a new experience, in a new league, a new country and a new language. It's a personal thing, I understand it completely".

Ancelloti said he can’t reveal Casemiro's reasons for leaving because “I can't answer that question because they are personal to Casemiro. He'll have to explain them”. But he said the squad respect his decision.

“They respect and understand it. If you want to assess it, you have to consider the affection and respect everyone at Real Madrid has for him. When he wants to take on a new challenge, we have to understand it and accept it with respect and affection. We're not angry or sad.

"Of course, when you've worked for so long with a person as friendly, disciplined and professional as he is, you're not thrilled about it but the respect for his decision must come first”.

 On whether Casemiro’s decision to leave will lead to a change of plan

He said: “I realised this might actually happen but Real Madrid's plans don't change. Our plans are to fight and compete in every competition, which we will do with or without Casemiro. That said, everyone is well aware of how important the player is and how much we love him”.

 “If Casemiro leaves, we have six central midfielders, with Modrić, Kroos, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde and Ceballos. With Casemiro we've got seven but I think six is enough to negotiate the season. They are six top-quality players. And Kroos never told me he doesn't like playing there - perhaps he's told, other people. If he tells me, it doesn't matter, he'll play just the same.

"Tchouameni has to learn, get used to it and improve his positioning. He's powerful in one-on-one situations, very strong in the air, he's got good feet and gets into the box well. I'm not going to ask him to play like Casemiro, because we have to take advantage of his box-to-box qualities. He's very young and he has to improve but he's ready to play for Real Madrid”.