Defender Sergio Ramos was prefered in central midfield ahead of Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi for their match with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
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This could be great news for Chelsea and Liverpool, who have been linked to the pair. The Blues are interested in Khedira according to the Metro, while the Merseyside club hold hope of signing Illarramendi say reports in the Daily Star. With manager Carlo Ancelotti seeming to prefer to play a centre-back out of position ahead of the pair, this could mean that a move is on the cards.
Khedira could be the perfect foil for Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge, adding a box to box presence to the creativity of the Spaniard and the defensive strength of the Serbian.
Meanwhile Illarramendi could be a potential successor to Steven Gerrard in defensive midfield for the Reds. The former England international has been playing in the deeper role in recent years, and is leaving Anfield in the summer. The Basque midfielder could be the man to step in to his sizeable shoes next season.