Ancelotti: “I don’t care what happens in the final days of the transfer market”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media on Saturday evening, ahead of Sunday’s trip to take on Levante in LaLiga Santander. There was, really, only one question about the actual match, to which the coach said: “We have to repeat the performance we had against Alavés, where we played well even if we could have had a better first half with more intensity. We’ve been working well. I think we can have a good game tomorrow, although you’re never sure.”

Most of the questions in the press conference were about the transfer market and about Kylian Mbappé, but Ancelotti insisted that he is focusing on the players who are already at the club, saying: “I don’t know and I don’t care what will happen in the next days [of the transfer market]. I have a great squad. This squad, as it is, can compete for everything. We already have stars and I can’t name them all, but we have Courtois, Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Karim, Bale, Hazard. I’ll definitely forget some if I go through them all. If a star can work for the others then that’s a star who will win titles. We’ll see what happens these days, but I’m focusing on the squad I have.”

He insisted on that idea on not being distracted by the transfer market, adding: “Look, I speak with the club every day and the plans they have are the same as my plans. But, I don’t think it’s fair to talk about this here. In the dressing room, the players are focused on the work we have to do. They’re focusing on the games. They’re not talking about the transfer market. They’re just talking about the matches we have to play.”

Ancelotti was also asked about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Italian dismissed the possibility of a return of the No.7 this week. On that, he said: “That topic is over. I responded to the rumours. I wanted to explain that the club’s plans for the future are to look to the future. I have a lot of love for Cristiano Ronaldo. I remember the titles we won together. I wish him the best.”

One player who has departed this transfer window is Martin Ødegaard and Ancelotti was asked if he is capable of explaining this exit, but he stated that he doesn’t fully know the reasons behind the Norwegian’s exit. He told the press: “I don’t know [why he left]. I spoke with him about the competition we have in the squad and then, with his family, he took this decision. He always worked seriously and professionally when he was here. I wish him the best. I think he’ll have a good time there.”

Finally, the coach provided an injury update, revealing that Eden Hazard is close to his optimal condition, that Dani Carvajal is back for the Levante game, that Luka Modrić might be back for the Real Betis game and that Toni Kroos won’t be able to return until after the international break. He concluded: “We have a squad that I think is capable of competing, even with Modrić and Kroos both missing tomorrow. Casemiro and Fede Valverde are very important. I think we can still be good in midfield even without these two stars of the midfield.”