Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has compared Asier Illarramendi to Xabi Alonso.
The Spanish midfielder arrived at the Bernabeu from Real Sociedad in the summer and has made a positive impression during his first season in the Spanish capital.
Ancelotti confirmed last week that Illarramendi would start the Champions League final next month in place of the suspended Alonso, and that remains the case despite Sami Khedira's return to fitness.
"He has the same characteristics as Xabi Alonso. He didn't play well against Valencia but that doesn't change anything in terms of the future," Ancelotti told reporters at a press conference.
"I'll give him minutes between now and the end of the league season, although I don't know about tomorrow.
"I have to see how [Luka] Modric is. [Sami] Khedira is available and could play a part against Valladolid. If he doesn't play many minutes, on Thursday we'll hold a little game for him and Arbeloa."
Ancelotti face Real Valladolid in La Liga tomorrow evening.
Matt Law
