Casemiro: "In two years from now, Fede Valverde will be one of the best playmakers around"
Casemiro only had praise for his team mates in an interview with 'Revista Libero' and hightlighted how important Sergio Busquets is to Barcelona".
Carlos Henrique Casemiro chatted to Revista Libero about how his career has gone from strength to strength at Real Madrid and also about his team mates. The midfielder was particularly enthusiastic about one of the younger players who has been breaking through in Zidane's team - Fede Valverde. "He's having an incredible season, he's one of the best players in his position in the world and he keeps getting better with every game he plays. In two years from now, he will be one of the best number 8's in the world," Casemiro enthused. "And on top of being a great player, he's very relaxed. For me, a number 8 could be Kroos or Modric too. They are the ones who control the game and supply passes to the fowards - but Valverde needs to remember that he has to drop back to help out in defence as well".
Casemiro praise for Busquets
Whilst on the subject of midfielders, Casemiro also said he is a big fan of Barcelona's Sergio Busquets: "He's very similar to Xabi Alonso. For me, along with Messi he is Barcelona's most important player. He positions himself well out on the pitch. He's one of the best".
As for his own style, the Real Madrid midfielder revealed that one of the keys to his game is being able second-guess what an opponent is going to do. He also gave an account of what José Mourinho said to him before handing him his debut, against Betis in April 2013: "I know who you are. Go out there and whack the ball the first time you get it. The Bernabéu will love you".
Casemiro: " Zidane was my idol"
His big idol however, "was Zidane" although has learned bits and piece from many other players in his position: "I like watching other midfielders; I used to enjoy watching [Claude] Makélélé, for example. Redondo wrote history with Madrid - there have always been great players in that role".
Casemiro says he will never forget his early days in Spain and the generation of players who he got to know when he joined Real Madrid Castilla: "It was an honour and a pleasure to come through the youth categories. You get to understand the structure of the club and also the fans. Jesé was the big star in that team along with players like Lucas Vázquez, Morata, Nacho, Cheryshev... it was great because you get to learn things that few people know. I feel like I am a graduate of the youth system".