Dani Ceballos finds himself at a crucial juncture in his career at Real Madrid. To put things in perspective, the midfielder, who has often been on the periphery of the starting XI, now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth.
With injuries to Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni reshaping the midfield dynamics, Ceballos has seen increased game time.
In fact, he wants to continue fighting for his place and is determined to make the most of the opportunities, reports Rodra (h/t Madrid Xtra).
In recent weeks, Ceballos has stepped up, making a case for a regular spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting line-up. His performance against Getafe was particularly impressive, both statistically and in terms of his overall impact on the game.
Across 90 minutes, he completed 94 successful passes, had 110 touches, delivered ten passes into the attacking third, succeeded in six of eight long balls, recovered possession six times, and won seven out of ten duels.
There is time to prove his worth
Dani Ceballos wants to prove his worth. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Prior to these recent outings, Ceballos had played only 78 minutes in La Liga this season. However, within the last week, he has featured in two full matches, making the most of the opportunities afforded to him due to injuries in the squad.
With Camavinga sidelined and Tchouameni now playing in a defensive role, Ceballos has emerged as a dependable option in midfield.
Ceballos’ rise to prominence is a testament to his resilience. Last summer, he came close to leaving the club in search of more playing time. However, Ancelotti has always spoken highly of him and appreciates his unique skill set, which combines physicality with creativity.
The coach has often turned to Ceballos in moments when midfield reinforcements are needed, recognising the value he brings to the team.
The coming weeks present an even greater test for Ceballos. Real Madrid face a packed schedule, including fixtures against Athletic Bilbao, Girona, Atalanta, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla, as well as the Club World Cup final.
With Camavinga’s absence and Tchouameni’s positional shift, Ceballos has several opportunities to cement his place and showcase why he deserves to remain a key part of the squad.