Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Dani Ceballos will be remaining at the club, following a week in which there was a deal agreed for him to leave for Ligue 1. The 29-year-old was reportedly keen on a bigger role, being a rotational option.
Ceballos had reportedly agreed a deal with Olympique Marseille to leave Real Madrid, but after asking for more time to make a final decision, the French giants pulled the plug on the deal. He was then linked with the omnipresent potential of a return to former club Real Betis, but the line from the Santiago Bernabeu is that Ceballos will not be going anywhere.
Alonso confirms that Ceballos will remain at club
However during his press conference on Friday ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with RCD Mallorca, confirmed that the decision was made.
“I spoke with him, and the decision was made that he’s staying. My opinion doesn’t change anything. He’s staying; he’s just another member of the squad. And I’m happy with him.”
Alonso would not elaborate on whether he had been promised a bigger role at Real Madrid though.
“The details, it’s better he tells you. But the decision seems final. He still plays the same role as before, and it doesn’t change my opinion of him.”
Meanwhile he all but confirmed that Real Madrid would not be making any moves before the transfer deadline on Monday.
“It’s likely [that we’re done], but I don’t want to get caught out. We always want to be vigilant, let’s wait. But it looks like it.”
Midfield options and the impact of Dean Huijsen
Ahead of Ceballos in the pecking order is Fede Valverde, who earned the praise of Alonso from the off.
“Very well, he’s been instrumental, leading the way. The first contact, at the World Cup, was good, and it continues to be so. He can adapt to any style of play, and that’s a blessing. I’m very happy with him.”
Another player with an uncertain role at the Bernabeu is Eduardo Camavinga, whose season last year was ravaged by injury. He will likely return after the international break, without a clear role in the side.
“I’m eager to have him, because I’ve had him around, but not continuously. That’s what I want. He’ll contribute a lot, because he has many qualities as a modern footballer. He’s dynamic, has quality. He fits in with what we want to do and will have his place. In addition to being someone very well-liked by his teammates, within the dressing room, he creates a lot of cohesion among the different players. That’s also important.”
One of the areas that many have pointed as perhaps lacking in the Real Madrid squad is that of a more controlling midfielder in front of the defence. Alonso was asked whether the presene of Dean Huijsen reduces that need.
“Everyone has to do everything. Dean brings very important things, like his ability to pause from the back line and his ability to find the pass. He’s a great signing, a strategic one. But we have to complement the pieces. The more we connect the pieces, the more stable our performance will be.”
Praise for Castilla midfielder
With Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga recovering from injury, Alonso has called up youngster Thiago Pitarch for their first two games of the season. The Basque manager has been tipped to use him if needs be in the first team.
“I didn’t know him very well, but I liked him from the first day. He’s very dynamic, energetic; he knows how to play between the lines… and against Leganes, he scored, coming from the second line. He’s helping us now that Jude and Camavinga are missing in training. Knowing there are players at Castilla, we can use, that they can strengthen us is very good. He’s approached it with the right attitude, with a good eduction, the same that all players that come in from La Fabrica do. He’ll be called up again.”
