Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says he prefers it that reported Tottenham Hotspur target Marco Asensio is not happy while he is not playing, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.
Reports by Marca earlier this week claimed Asensio’s bit-part role at the Santiago Bernabeu has frustrated the midfielder. He rejected chances to leave this summer in the hope of establishing himself under the Italian. But has only proven to be his eighth-choice option.
Ancelotti has favoured Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Vinicius Junior, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic over Asensio. The 25-year-old has only played 68-minutes in five games in all competitions, with a longest appearance of half-an-hour against Levante.
Tottenham sought to sign Asensio as their ‘great objective’ this summer, per Marca, but he was intent on staying at Real Madrid. He wanted to revive his stuttering Galacticos career after accepting an injury-ravished two-years hindered his performances.
Ancelotti has tried to work Asensio into a more centralised position than his previous spot on the wing since. But is yet to trust the £125k-a-week maestro, who watched Los Blancos beat Valencia 2-1 from the bench on Sunday.
Asensio’s frustrations at his limited role since rejecting Tottenham to stay at Real Madrid do not surprise Ancelotti. Instead, the Italian prefers that the 2020 Olympic silver medallist is disgruntled, as it shows he truly wants it.
Ancelotti said: “I don’t like players who don’t play and are happy. It’s normal that Asensio is not happy if he does not play, the same goes for Isco and Jovic. All three are training well. Isco and Jovic were very important in the 10-minutes they played at [the] Mestalla against Valencia; they must continue to put me in difficulty.”
Should Tottenham revive Asensio interest in January if Real struggles continue?
Asensio will hope he does not live to regret rejecting Tottenham to stay and fight at Real Madrid under Ancelotti. The 26-cap Spain international is yet to start a single fixture this season and faces a mountainous challenge ahead.
He will hope his fortunes start to change when Los Blancos face Mallorca on Wednesday night. Ancelotti is aware of Asensio’s frustrations and believes he is training well. Which, really, is all Spurs’ summer target can try to move up the Italian’s pecking order.
Fabio Paratici may monitor Asensio to potentially revive Tottenham’s interest if his Real Madrid situation under Ancelotti does not improve. The north Londoners have struggled for creativity under Nuno Espirito Santo since the Portuguese took charge this summer.
While Asensio, despite his occasionally lacklustre form, offered five goals and two assists in La Liga last season. Even though the Mallorca product also struggled to gain Zinedine Zidane’s backing during the Frenchman’s time in charge.
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