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Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid will adapt if Asensio or Ceballos leaves Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti is happy with his Real Madrid squad the way it is, but has raised the possibility of Marco Asensio or Dani Ceballos departing the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Discussing the two players during a press conference on Saturday, he praised their work ethic and said they're both in his plans, but admitted they could push for a move away before deadline day.

"At this moment in time they're both still here and working well," Ancelotti said of the two Spaniards.

"But, if something changes in their heads, we'll adapt.

"We have a deep squad, we want to give all players minutes and we have a World Cup in the middle. So, we'll rotate more than last season."

The coach also discussed Sunday's Almeria game, explaining that he is excited to get started as Real Madrid aim to defend their LaLiga Santander title.

"We feel good and are excited to start this new league campaign," the coach said.

"Every match will be very competitive and difficult, starting with tomorrow's one. It'll be a long season."

Ancelotti discusses the Ballon d'Or nominees

The 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d'Or was also a talking point at the press conference. Six Real Madrid players have been listed - Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, Vinicius, Casemiro, Luka Modric and Antonio Rudiger - but Toni Kroos was left out and the coach was asked about this.

"That surprises me, because he had a good season," he replied.

"I'm also surprised that they left out the likes of Fede Valverde, Eder Militao and David Alaba.

"I suppose they can't list all the Real Madrid players, as that would be a big problem."

On Courtois and his chances of winning, Ancelotti stated that the Belgian is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

"We're enjoying Courtois, the best goalkeeper in the world right now," Ancelotti said.

"I can't say if he's the best I've ever had, as I also worked with goalkeepers like [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Petr] Cech, [Manuel] Neuer, [Iker] Casillas and Diego Lopez."

Carlo Ancelotti hopes Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos stay at Real Madrid but says Los Blancos will "adapt" if they decide to move on.

Winger Asensio and midfielder Ceballos are in the final year of their contracts with the European and LaLiga champions.

Asensio has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, while Ceballos is reportedly a target for his former club Real Betis.

Madrid boss Ancelotti knows there are no guarantees the duo will still be at the Santiago Bernabeu when the transfer window closes on September 1.

The Italian told reporters on Saturday: "They are here and working fine. Each one can comment on their future, but I focus on the squad I have with both.

"Until the 31st, it is like that. If something changes in their heads, we will adapt."

The champions start the defence of their LaLiga title at Almeria on Sunday, and Ancelotti is as hungry as ever for more trophies after a magnificent 2021-22 season.

"I have always said that I am passionate about this game," he said. "I'm working for the best club in the world, and that's where the motivation comes from.

"I wake up in the morning, I enjoy my day, and I'm enjoying my life here at Real Madrid. I know it won't be forever, but there's still a hunger, and I'm delighted to be the manager of Real Madrid."

Madrid face a hectic schedule ahead of the World Cup, but Ancelotti expects the bigger challenges to come after the tournament in Qatar.

He said: "Until the World Cup, we won't have many problems. The players will want to go in good condition, and they will prepare well, enjoying the games beforehand.

"The big question we have is after the World Cup: how the players will return? After the World Cup, they usually go on vacation, and this year, they will return to enter the important moment of the season.

"You have to assess fatigue, think about giving rest... These are things that we doubt today."

The Italian head coach announced the possibility of the separation of the two Spanish midfielders of his team.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes that Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos will stay in Real Madrid, but if they leave, Madrid can adapt to the new conditions.

Asensio and Ceballos have entered the final year of their contracts with the European and La Liga champions. Clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United want to recruit Asensio, and Real Betis wants to bring Ceballos back. Ancelotti claimed that there is no guarantee that the two stars will stay in Madrid until the end of the transfers and that the club can agree on their departure.

Ancelotti said: "They are here and working fine. Each one can comment on their future, but I focus on the squad I have with both.

"Until the 31st, it is like that. If something changes in their heads, we will adapt."

The Italian added: "I have always said that I am passionate about this game. I'm working for the best club in the world, and that's where the motivation comes from.

"I wake up in the morning, I enjoy my day, and I'm enjoying my life here at Real Madrid. I know it won't be forever, but there's still a hunger, and I'm delighted to be the manager of Real Madrid."

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Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid will adapt if Asensio or Ceballos leaves Madrid

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