Opportunity beckons for Golden Boy Dani Ceballos and Real Madrid midfielder is primed to take it

Andy West 19:20 30/09/2018
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  • Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Daniel Ceballos

    Just six weeks ago, the common consensus was that Dani Ceballos had made a disastrous career move by leaving Real Betis for Real Madrid.

    After progressing through Betis’s youth system, Ceballos quickly became a superstar with his hometown club. He was the local favourite, a thrillingly creative attacking midfielder who was adored by fans and appeared to have the world at his feet.

    It was no great surprise when, in the summer of 2017 and still aged just 20, he made the move to Madrid, because he always looked too good in the long-term for a mid-table side like Betis. The only question was whether he had jumped too early, and would have been better served staying with his first club for another year or so, to further establish his talent and status.

    And during his first season at the Bernabeu, those worst fears were confirmed. Ceballos was repeatedly overlooked by Zinedine Zidane, making just 12 appearances in La Liga and four more in the Champions League, and none of them coming in particularly significant fixtures. From being the rising star of Spanish football, he was in danger of becoming a forgotten man.

    The new campaign, though, has offered a chance for redemption.

    With several of his players suffering from post-World Cup fatigue, new Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui opted to place Ceballos straight into the starting line-up for the opening league game of the season against Getafe, and the coach has continued to feature the former Betis man as a prominent part of his plans ever since.

    Even though Ceballos didn’t start in Saturday night’s Madrid derby draw against Atletico, Lopetegui wasted no time in introducing him to the fray after Gareth Bale was forced to retire at the break.

    Gareth Bale

    Gareth Bale

    And Ceballos answered the call to deliver an excellent second half display, showing invention and energy down the left flank to repeatedly trouble the visiting defence.

    Although his efforts were not enough to break the deadlock, he was certainly one of the game’s most eye catching attacking players. During his 45 minutes on the field, Ceballos had 57 touches of the ball – an impressive figure when you consider Marco Asensio had 73 in the full game.

    Ceballos also used his possession well, completing 95.6 per cent of his passes – a better completion rate than any other Real player – and creating three chances.

    In truth, to a great extent Lopetegui’s hand has been forced. The summer departure of Mateo Kovacic has left Real lacking in numbers in midfield, and the absence of both Bale and Isco means that if Ceballos couldn’t get a game now, he probably never would.

    Mateo Kovacic

    Mateo Kovacic

    But he is taking the chance, and he has clearly leapt ahead of Lucas Vazquez in the pecking order. With Luka Modric struggling for form and a busy schedule of fixtures coming up, Ceballos is guaranteed plenty more playing time in the next few weeks, and has a real opportunity for the first time to become a truly significant player for Los Blancos.

    His international career is also at stake. Against expectations, Ceballos was named in Luis Enrique’s first squad for September’s games, and after a strong performance in the 6-0 demolition of Croatia he is expected to be called upon again for October’s meetings with Wales and England.

    Enrique has already shown himself to be willing to take unexpected decisions by dumping Jordi Alba and Koke, and if he believes Ceballos is ready to become a key member of his plans he will make Ceballos a key member of his plans, no matter what.

    However, it’s obvious that playing regularly and playing well at club level can only strengthen his cause, and the next few weeks could be vital. If he doesn’t shine, when Bale and Isco return he will be relegated to the role of understudy again. But a major opportunity has opened up, and so far he looks ready to take it.

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