Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane 'to give Federico Valverde a chance'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 March 2019

Young Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde will be given more playing time by Zinedine Zidane over the coming weeks, according to a report.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will reportedly show faith in Federico Valverde by giving the young midfielder more chances to impress.

Valverde has been used 14 times by Los Blancos in La Liga and the Champions League combined this term, just two of those being starts.

The 20-year-old was given 13 minutes' playing time by Zidane in the Frenchman's first game back in charge of Madrid earlier this month, and Marca claims that he will be used more regularly in the long term.

Zidane is said to be a fan of the Uruguay international's strength, dynamism and ability to get the ball forward, reminding him of Mateo Kovacic, who has spent the season on loan with Chelsea.

Madrid hope to complete paperwork in the coming weeks that will ensure Valverde can be considered a homegrown player, which is expected to be behind the club's decision to push him up the midfield pecking order.

However, it is claimed that the player will need persuading that his future is best served in the Spanish capital and not elsewhere.