When Carlo Ancelotti decided to bring Real Madrid‘s start of pre-season forward to July 5 he know that he wouldn’t have all of his players available to work under his orders.
But, because of international tournaments and the Olympic Games, Ancelotti will have even fewer players than he had anticipated working from day one of training this summer.
With eight players active in the European Championship and four more in the Copa America, five more players have joined the growing list of possible absences, with Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Diaz, Jesus Vallejo and Borja Mayoral being named in Spain’s preliminary Olympics squad.
While Borja is set to stay on loan at Roma for another year, Real Madrid will also have to do without Take Kubo, who will be representing Japan at this summer’s Games.
Ancelotti at Valdebebas
Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, David Alaba, Casemiro, Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde are expected to be given between 20 and 25 days holiday after their participation in their respective international tournaments has come to an end.
Both competitions end on July 11, so any finalists will get back to work in early August.
So far, only Sergio Ramos‘ exit has been confirmed this summer, so Ancelotti should, as things stand, have most of last season’s squad to work with from July 5.
