'Asensio unhappy with not playing? That's good'

Afforded just 68 minutes on the pitch so far this season, the Spaniard has been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti is unfazed by speculations suggesting Marco Asensio is displeased due to lack of enough game time saying “it’s normal that those who aren’t playing aren’t happy.”

Once regarded as one of the top talents in the world, Asensio has been struggled to reach the standards expected of him after his breakthrough in 2016-2017.

The 25-year-old attacker, as a result, has dropped down the squad pecking order at Real Madrid. He is yet to make the club’s starting XI this season and although he has featured five times across all competitions in 2021-22 so far, all his appearances have come off the bench.

According to reports in Spain, the man from Mallorca is reconsidering his future at Santiago Bernabeu amid interest from Premier League sides Arsenal, Everton, Leeds United, and Leicester City.

🇪🇸 Marco Asensio is unhappy with the play-time he's been given by Ancelotti after the manager told him that he'll be important this season. Marco's at 100% and if Carlo keeps leaving him out of the team, the player's representatives will talk to the manager. @ellarguero pic.twitter.com/RgPH0VhNLN
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) September 21, 2021

“It’s normal that those who aren’t playing aren’t happy,” Ancelotti responded when asked to comment on those speculations (via Marca).

“If Marco Asensio or Isco or Luka Jovic aren’t happy with not playing then that’s normal, that’s good.

“But, Asensio, Isco and Jovic are training well. Asensio, Isco and Jovic will have minutes.

“I have to evaluate the condition of the players who have played. I’m thinking about making some changes [in the next match], but I need to see [Tuesday’s] training session first. But yes, we’re thinking about making some changes. It’s difficult to pick the line-ups.”