Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger left Chelsea at the end of last season as a free agent to Real Madrid.

Rudiger became known for being a world-class defender under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, and is now earning a pay package of £315k per week at Madrid.

It was expected Rudiger would be utilised at centre-back for the Los Blancos, but the German international featured at left-back in Real Madrid’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona over the weekend.

Regular left-back Ferland Mendy was left out as a result of Carlo Ancelotti’s decision.

Ancelotti isn’t keen on breaking the Eder Militao and David Alaba partnership at the back that proved to be very successful last term, as they won both the La Liga and the Champions League.

Reacting to the decision made, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “I’m not crazy and Antonio is very intelligent, in that position he can play.

“I don’t want to change the couple from last year.”

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also backed Rudiger to be a success.

He added: “I think he’s a great player, he contributes a lot.

“And above all with a lot of personality and with intensity as has been seen in that brawl.”