When the return of Brahim Diaz was announced and confirmed, it looked as if Real Madrid were getting another player who could be key to their season.
After two seasons in Italy with AC Milan, Diaz had become a player than he was when he first joined Los Blancos from Manchester City.
He was coming back as a man rather than the boy who was at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier and for someone who had played very well with Milan, fans were excited about what he was going to offer.
Diaz had played 85 games across all competitions in the last two seasons before returning to Spain but Carlo Ancelotti has barely given him minutes so far.
In fact, the player was also looking forward to playing a major role in Madrid’s season after the decision to bring him back.
However, it has not quite gone to plan for the attacking midfielder who has only played 263 minutes this season for Madrid.
Out of the 11 games he has featured, Diaz has only managed three starts, two in La Liga and one in the UEFA Champions League.
After his performance in the win over La Palmas, there were calls for the 24-year-old to have more minutes considering their struggles of Rodrygo and the lack of rest for Jude Bellingham but Ancelotti was not falling for any of those.
It raises the question of whether the Italian was in favour a return for the former Spain youth international or it the club’s decision to bring him in.
Ancelotti’s preference for Rodrygo, even in his lowest form, means Diaz has to fight more harder to ensure he gets favors from the manager.
In all of the games, he has played this season, Diaz has showed good impressions and wanted continuity but has never gotten that opportunity.
Diaz averages 1.5 key passes per game in the league this season which is equal to that of Rodrygo despite playing less minutes.
In fact, Diaz situation may be similar to that of Marco Asensio who had very limited opportunities despite being heavily involved anytime he got the chance to play.
There are more games to go until the end of the season but Ancelotti would need to reconsider his decision to hand Diaz very few opportunities and give him a more important role in the team.
While the player himself is keen on developing, Ancelotti would also have a decision to make to ensure there is a consensus reached for the team’s benefit.
With injuries to Vinicius Jr and Camavinga, there could be opportunities coming in the way of several players including Diaz until the return of these two.
