Former Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti believes the club are missing a midfielder capable of consistently releasing team-mates into space under returning manager Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid have made a positive start to the 2026/27 season, winning six of their eight matches in all competitions. However, Ancelotti says the team’s midfield is not providing the same quality of delivery that was available when Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were at the club.
“I don't want everything I say about Real Madrid to be interpreted as criticism, but when Modric or Kroos were there, the ball arrived with every run into space,” he said.
Davide Ancelotti left Real Madrid when his father, Carlo Ancelotti, accepted the Brazil national team job in June 2025. He subsequently joined Botafogo in his first head-coaching role before moving to Lille this summer.
The former assistant coach also turned down several offers from Premier League clubs before taking up his position in France.
Ancelotti stressed that his comments were not intended to suggest the current Real Madrid players lack the necessary technical ability. Instead, he believes the team require a midfielder with the understanding and precision to make their vertical style effective.
“I'm not saying the current players don't have that ability. What I'm saying is that to play vertically, you need someone who knows how to deliver the ball,” he said.
Kroos ended his Real Madrid career as one of the outstanding players in his position, and Ancelotti believes replacing that influence is unrealistic.
“You lose something you'll never get back. Kroos was the best player in the world in his position. You can't say 'I need another Kroos', because there isn't one,” he added.