Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he doesn’t need any more signings ahead of the coming season.
Ancelotti’s remarks were aimed at the recent rumours of a possible pursuing for Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, after goals from new arrivals, Jude Bellingham and Joselu gave Madrid a 2-0 win over Manchester United in their American tour.
“The squad is good as it is. We are full,” said Ancelotti, who preferred not to answer direct questions about possible interest for the French international.
“It was a good game, we played well - especially in the first half, with intensity and moving the ball well. We defended well and we played better than in our first game [a 3-2 win against AC Milan].”
“We are good because we have a team with a lot of quality, strength, technique and commitment. That’s the only explanation,” continued the coach, who added that he was pleased with Bellingham’s sixth-minute opener.
“The goal reflects his quality, while Joselu’s goal [an 89th-minute overhead kick] shows his quality in the area. It’s not a goal you will see very often,” added Ancelotti.
Ancelotti also said he was happy that his players are adapting to a 4-4-2 system that sees Vinicius play as an out-and-out winger.
“We have a squad without egos and that really helps us to manage the dressing room,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Moroccan U-23 international defender Chadi Riad will join Real Betis on loan for next season with the chance to then make the move permanent for a price of around three million euros.
Barca have also included a clause in the transfer that would allow them to buy him back for seven million euros.
Riad played 37-time for Barca’s B-team last season and made his first team debut away to Osasuna in November 2022. But he was left out of the squad for the club’s current U.S. tour, and the 20-year-old had been allowed to train with Betis in the days prior to completing the move.
Riad is the second signing Betis have announced in the past 24 hours after the arrival of former Real Madrid and Sevilla midfielder Isco.
The Seville-based club that finished sixth in La Liga last season has also signed midfielder Marc Roca on loan from Leeds United. Furthermore, Hector Bellerin and Marc Bartra joined Betis this summer, which has made the Betis defense a very “Barca” look.
