According to reports, things have not gone well for Real Madrid this season. After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League following a heavy defeat against Arsenal, they also lost the Copa del Rey to Barcelona, increasing the pressure on the team.

Many experts and Real Madrid fans believe that Toni Kroos’s retirement from football was one of the main reasons for the team’s decline this season, as they failed to find a suitable replacement for him in midfield, dealing them an irreparable blow.

Raúl Varela, in the program La Tribu, spoke about the players Carlo Ancelotti had requested to strengthen Real Madrid’s squad this season. He explained: “The two players Ancelotti wanted for midfield were Mac Allister from Liverpool and Tonali, the Italian midfielder from Newcastle.”

Since he had also requested William Saliba as a central defender—a player favored by both Real Madrid and Ancelotti—it is believed that this request was made for Xabi Alonso or any other potential coach, as Saliba is an excellent player. Ancelotti also reportedly asked for Manuel Akanji from Manchester City, as the Swiss defender was unsettled at City. A third option could have been Dean Huijsen.