How Kylian Mbappe helped 'ruin' Carlo Ancelotti's summer as Real Madrid boss admits to 'very big problem' caused by busy transfer window

The long-anticipated move of the French superstar from Paris Saint-Germain to the Spanish capital finally materialized this summer and since then the the spotlight has been firmly on Ancelotti as the fans are eager to know how the prolific forward will integrate into Real Madrid's already star-studded lineup. The Italian manager now faces a problem of plenty as he alongside Mbappe, Brazilian teen sensation, Endrick, has also joined Los Blancos which has further spiked competition for places.

Ancelotti confessed that the inclusion of Mbappe and Endrick had turned his summer into a period of constant contemplation, as he grappled with the question of how to utilize his new star players effectively without disrupting the balance of his team. Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Arda Guler are also vying for starting berths which might lead Ancelotti to rotate the players and keep them fresh for the business end of an extremely busy campaign which could potentially see Real Madrid play up to 70 games.

Speaking to reporters, ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta, Ancelotti said: "I have a very big problem. All summer I have been thinking about who to put in and who not to. It has ruined my holidays. It’s simple. They are all good. This problem doesn’t exist. We have a lot of games. I can’t think that the same eleven will play 70 games. Last year, those who played less contributed a lot. This year could be a key.”

Mbappe missed all of Real Madrid's preseason matches, as he was given an extended break following his participation in the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. This absence has only added to the intrigue surrounding his debut for Los Blancos, with fans eagerly awaiting his first appearance in the famous white shirt.

“He has arrived very well, like everyone else," Ancelotti said. "We are doing very well. He is adapting very well and everyone can play tomorrow. He has extraordinary quality.”

The UEFA Super Cup fixture will be a crucial test for both Mbappe and Ancelotti as they look to fine-tune the team's dynamics ahead of the new season. After the European fixture, Real Madrid will shift their focus to their first competitive match of the 2024-25 La Liga season, where they will face Mallorca on August 18.