Madrid ready to adapt if Asensio and Ceballos leave – Ancelotti

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.”

 Getting ready for #AlmeríaRealMadrid! pic.twitter.com/GkYoX4zyAK

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 13, 2022

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.”