Pre-season is the right time of the season for a manager to not only test the resources at his disposal but also provide up-and-coming talents with a chance to make their mark. WithReal MadridCastillaenjoying a stellar run last season, a number of stars were expected to be called up by Carlo Ancelotti to the USA.
However, the manager included just one academy prospect in hispre-season tourscheduled for this week – Nico Paz. Ancelotti maintains a few players like Alvaro Rodriguez on his radar as well, but it is safe to say that he has the highest hopes for the academy’scrown jewel.
According to ɾєρօɾτs fromMARCA, many teams are interested in Paz’s signature. He is seen as one of the rising stars of the next generation and has no shortage of suitors at his doorstep.
However,Los Blancossee him to be capable of breaking into the first team and establishing himself as a mainstay for the years to come.
The 18-year-old is an attacking midfielder by τɾɑԀє and thus faces competition with some of the world’s best for a spot in the starting XI this week. Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos all fight for two spots in central midfield, and Paz’s inclusion implies that the manager sees him at par with the aforementioned stars.
The young prodigy scored two goals and provided three assists in 17 appearances for Raul Gonzalez’s side last season, helping the team to the promotion playoffs in their division. He is no stranger to training under Ancelotti’s command and has shared the dressing room with the first team multiple times at a tєɴԀer age.
It remains to be seen if Paz can finally make his awaited debut for the senior setup this week. ɾєρօɾτs state that the manager has beenactively experimentingwith him in a 4-4-2 diamond setup in training.
