Real Madrid have started off the La Liga season well, dropping points just twice in their opening 10 games, and getting the best out of Jude Bellingham behind the strikers. However one of their other summer ‘signings’ has not enjoyed things quite as much this season.
Brahim Diaz has played just 117 minutes in their 12 games this season, and started just once. At home against Las Palmas, Diaz scored and was named man of the match playing in Bellingham’s situation. Since, he has played just 17 minutes.
Sport say that if Ancelotti continues, showing a clear lack of desire to play Brahim, he will leave next summer with Real Madrid happy to see him leave for €20m. Relevo also note his lack of protagonism under Ancelotti, but do not go as far as saying he will be sold.
As noted, the imminent return to fitness of Arda Guler will not aid matters for Brahim, who will likely compete for a spot with the Turkish wonderkid for minutes.
That is the major problem for Brahim, who returned from his two-year loan at Milan on the promise of opportunities, but before Guler was signed. Equally in this new formation, there are only two realistic positions for Brahim, the right-sided forward or the free role behind the strikers. Bellingham will play the vast majority of the minutes in the latter, while Rodrygo Goes and Joselu Mato are engaged in battle for the other. It may well be that rather than Ancelotti not being a fan of Brahim, he simply struggles to find space for him. Ultimately, the result for the player is the same.
