Carlo Ancelotti defends the Super League saying that ‘football must change’ and insists Florentino Perez has ‘serious intentions for July’ with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé linked with a move to Madrid.
The Norway and French stars have been linked with a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, but the Italian tactician refuses to discuss their future or reply to PSG director Leonardo who had claimed the Merengues should have been punished for holding talks with Mbappé without his club’s consent.
“Let’s talk about [Mbappé and Haaland] later on,” Ancelotti told Il Corriere dello Sport.
“Some time ago, I would have answered differently, but I’ve entered a moment of my life where I prefer to be in peace with the world, I don’t have time for disputes.”
However, the Italian tactician also admits that Perez has big plans for the summer.
“Real Madrid’s call was an amazing surprise,” the coach continued. “If it was up to me, I’d remain forever, there isn’t a better place than Real Madrid for football.
“Everything remains the same here, except the coaches. Journalists, physios, warehouse workers are always the same, and so is the vision of the club. In one year, at the end of December 2022, we’ll have a new stadium and Florentino has serious intentions for July.”
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are still involved in the Super League and Ancelotti explains why the idea makes sense.
“Football must change quickly,” the former Milan coach said. “First of all, we need fewer games, the quality has worsened, players are exhausted. Somebody refuses to play with their national teams. There are too many injuries and games that end 10-0, it’s time to stop it.
“We need two windows for national teams, I spoke about it with Arsene Wenger some time ago.
“I am sure players would be open to reducing their salaries with fewer games and coaches would do the same. We are not able to work and leave a mark.”
Italy have been drawn with North Macedonia, Turkey and Portugal in the World Cup play-offs, meaning only one between the Azzurri and Cristiano Ronaldo will qualify for Qatar 2020 if they get to the Final.
The Real Madrid coach believes Roberto Mancini’s side will eventually get a spot for next year’s World Cup.
“It was a complicated draw, but we will make it,” said Ancelotti, who thinks the Azzurri don’t need to naturalize foreign players ahead of the play-offs in March.
“It would be fair to go to the World Cup with the same group of the Euros, but I am not the CT and I am not living the moment of Italian football,” he concluded.