In 2022, Coach Carlo Ancelotti made a shocking statement about his student Federico Valverde: “I bet you that he will score at least 10 goals this season. If not, I will tear up my coaching license and immediately leave Real Madrid. I’m serious!” That was the time when the Italian strategist pushed Valverde to play as a winger.

Valverde is a very versatile player. Since being promoted to Real Madrid’s first team in 2018, he has played in many different roles. In addition to the winger position, he has played as a box-to-box midfielder, an attacking midfielder and now it seems that coach Ancelotti wants to “nail” the Uruguayan international in the center of Real Madrid’s midfield to replace his senior Toni Kroos.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan player possesses excellent qualities to take on the job left by Kroos. Valverde has excellent individual technique and passing ability, especially after many years of being coached by two super midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. He also possesses excellent speed and ball control, and is sensitive in moving and choosing positions.

Valverde learned a lot from two super midfielders Luka Modric & Toni Kroos

Of course, Valverde’s ability to defend and intercept from a distance is equally excellent, enough for a meticulous coach like Ancelotti to not hesitate to pull him back to play as a central midfielder. Remember last season, when Aurelien Tchouameni was injured and had to stay off the field for a long time, Carletto let Valverde play as a central midfielder with Kroos and the performances of this duo reached “ten points of quality”.

Referring to Valverde, coach Ancelotti once exclaimed: “There were times when I didn’t know where to put him on the field. Because in every role, he completed the task excellently”. The Uruguayan player’s playing style is exactly like “when needed, Valverde is there, when in trouble, Valverde is there”. That is why last season, the 26-year-old midfielder was one of the Real Madrid players who played the most with a total of 54 matches in all competitions.

However, what makes coach Ancelotti appreciate Valverde the most is not the professional aspect. In a conversation with the Spanish media, Carletto emphasized that he wished he had more Federico Valverde in the squad. “He is a very professional player. He always works hard in training with a positive attitude and when he plays, he always tries to show his best. He has never complained about having to play the role of a substitute,” coach Ancelotti shared.

Coach Ancelotti likes Valverde’s professionalism

Because of Valverde’s very professional style, coach Ancelotti decided to make him one of Real Madrid’s vice-captains. According to Carletto, the Uruguayan star is quiet but very popular with his teammates. Therefore, whenever Valverde has an opinion, most people in the Spanish Royal team’s dressing room support him.

With the choice of Valverde to replace Kroos, the remaining problem for coach Ancelotti is to choose who will pair with the Uruguayan in the center of Real Madrid’s midfield next season. Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni will be the choices to support Valverde behind. In other words, the 2024/25 season will most likely mark the breakthrough of this 26-year-old star!