Carlo Ancelotti has issued a 10-goal target for Federico Valverde this season, which the Uruguayan is on course to smash.
Federico Valverde has joked he does not want to be responsible for Carlo Ancelotti’s retirement, after the Real Madrid head coach issued him with a 10-goal target for the season.
The Uruguayan is already well on his way to that milestone after opening the scoring in a 3-0 win against Elche to take his tally to six for the campaign across all competitions, with the win marking Madrid’s ninth in 10 LaLiga games.
The goal sees Valverde equal the tally he achieved in his first 148 games for Los Blancos, and Ancelotti is confident he will surpass double figures this term.
“He has to have that responsibility. We have a bet, I think he will give more than ten this season,” he told DAZN after the match.
“He is a very important player for us. The energy he has is incredible. He has to score ten goals.”
Valverde is determined to hit that landmark and does not want to disappoint Ancelotti, joking that he will not be the reason for the Italian coach’s retirement.
“I’m focused on getting it done. It’s a nice pressure. I don’t want to be blamed for the coach leaving,” he told DAZN.
Madrid’s win against Elche came despite seeing three goals, all by Karim Benzema, ruled out for offside by VAR, with Valverde admitting a “strange” feeling to have the effort ruled out.
“You have to get used to it. It’s strange, you celebrate a goal and you think you’re fine. They cancel one, then another, then another,” he added.
