Carlo Ancelotti tactical switch will force key Real Madrid midfielder to be benched for start of next season

Last season, Carlo Ancelotti utilised a 4-4-2 diamond system at Real Madrid, and it’s safe to say that it worked wonders. Jude Bellingham was used as a false nine in the absence of a top-level striker, and his goals helped Los Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double, as they also won the Spanish Super Cup.

However, with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Ancelotti is expected to revert back to 4-3-3 for next season, as reported by MD. This would allow the Italian to accommodate Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in the same line-up, although it would also mean that a midfielder is dropped.

Bellingham and Federico Valverde will be nailed starters for Real Madrid, meaning that Ancelotti would need to choose between Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga as his third midfielder – the deepest-lying of the three.

Right now, Tchouameni probably starts as the favourite. While that would be unfair to Camavinga, he will have plenty of opportunities to start next season, given that Real Madrid are playing in six competitions.