Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has full faith in midfielder Asier Illarramendi despite not selecting him regularly this season.
The 24-year old has been linked with a move to the Premier League as Arsenal want the talented midfielder. La Liga side Atletic Bilbao are interested in signing him as well. Ancelotti told reporters yesterday that there is no news regarding a move for Illarramendi and the Spaniard is very much a Real Madrid player, a Therea s no news. Hea s a Madrid player.
a He hasna t played much, but it doesna t change our confidence in him, nor his importance in the dressing room.
a At the moment, we have no intention of selling Illarra. Hea s a major player. We need team players who arena t only motivated and professional, but also ready to play. Hea s one of these.
a If you evaluate trust only by minutes, that the 11 players in a match are the only ones who are trusted, thata s no way to manage a team.
a Our faith in him is total. If I need him, Ia ll pick him.a
With Real Madrid signing Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva for a reported fee of A?9.7m, Illarramendi’s future at the Bernabeu is further in doubt. He has made 12 appearances in the league this season but has played for just 429 minutes as he has been restricted to appearances from the bench. A move to the Premier League could suit Illarramendi if he gets the promise of first team football. Spanish players have had a good history of playing in the Premier League and the former Sociedad man will want to test himself there.
Illarramendi’s style has been compared to that of Xabi Alonso as he is a good deep lying playmaker. He signed a six-year contract in 2013 after Madrid decided to fork out a hefty a 30m Euros for him. Considering the number of years still remaining on his contract, he will definitely not come cheap. Despite Ancelotti backing Illarramendi, we did not get a confirmation on whether he’ll remain at the Spanish Capital or not. With Real being knocked out of the Copa Del Rey, Illarraendi’s chances of appearing have further reduced as Ancelotti will most likely go with his best XI in the Champions League ad the La Liga. As a result, a move elsewhere might materialise before the deadline day ends.