Ancelotti, with an eye for the local talent

Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of the most Spanish squad in recent years at Real Madrid. As many as 14 players born in the country may form part of the first team during the 2013/14 season. This fact is linked to one of the basic tenets of the Italian manager's philosophy: achieving a strong local base in his teams.

He did it at Milan, as he believed that the Rossoneri's success under his mentor Arrigo Sacchi was a result of the Italian core composed of Galli, Baresi, Tassoti, Maldini, Costacurta, Donadoni and of course Ancelotti himself. As a manager, he built his two-time European champion side around Abbiatti, Nesta, Brocchi, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Pirlo and Inzaghi.

The idea being put into practice at Madrid by both manager and club is to build a similar core – a base composed of Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Diego López, Isco and Carvajal (the latter two signed for this season), which will also be reinforced by several players from the reserve team: Morata (the man chosen to replace Higuaín), Jesé (whose rise to the first team has been confirmed by Florentino Pérez), Nacho (who has renewed his contract for four seasons, although this has not yet been announced officially) and Jesús Fernandez or Tomás Mejías as the third goalkeeper. The above group of players may also be joined by Albiol and José Callejón, who although they may yet leave, still form a part of the team for the time being.