Just weeks after overcoming Liverpool in the Champions League Final, being crowned the kings of Europe once again, Real Madrid have beaten Europe’s elite to the signing of AS Monaco’s 22 year old Aurélien Tchouameni.
The European champions are set to pay Monaco a cool 80 million euros for the signature of Tchouaméni, with a further 20 million in add-ons possibly to be paid. Though Florentino Perez and Madrid were able to beat them to the signing first, the likes of Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain were in hot pursuit of the young French talent. In fact, Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp, called Tchouameni weeks ago in hopes of the lurring the player to Anfield, but the player solely set his sights on Madrid.
Many critics and fans alike have questioned Madrid’s purchase of the young star, due to the absurd amount of money spent on the young frenchman. In fact, Tchoumanei’s transfer is currently the 21st most expensive transfer of all time, just behind Virgil Van Dijk and Luis Suarez. Though, solely based on his young age and league leading stats last season in Ligue 1, Tchouameni may be worth every penny.
Tchouameni at AS Monaco (John Berry/GettyImages)
Tchouameni is a defensive midfielder who can play as a number 8 or 6, with a skill set that few players in Europe can live up to. Tchouameni is a relentless midfielder, with ample experience among Europe’s elite at such a young age, playing the most minutes for a U-23 midfielder over the last 2 years. Tchouameni also possesses versatility in midfield, which will be beneficial to Madrid, having experience as a lone defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 or a box to box role in a 4-4-2, two formations which Carlo Ancelotti constantly experiments with.
When it comes to stats, Tchouameni nearly reigns supreme among Europe’s top defensive midfielders. In attack and positional play, Tchouameni registered a pass completion rate close to 88 percent, drew 1.7 fouls per match, and completed 1.1 dribbles per game. Relative to Casemiro, Real Madrid’s current starting defensive midfielder, Tchouameni recorded incredibly similar stats, completing more passes and dribbles, and also winning more fouls per match. Tchouameni also outperformed Casemiro in a field which Casemiro is extremely talented in, which is winning the ball back, taking and completing more duels than the Brazilian. Even if Ancelotti decides to put Tchouameni elsewhere in the midfield, based on his statistics, he will surely be able to do the job.
Real Madrid rarely goes wrong when it comes to spending big. During his tenure at the club, president Florentino Perez has been able to build a sustainable super team, which always seems ready to challenge for Europe’s biggest prizes. Tchouameni will bring a youthful through experienced spark to the Madrid midfield, not only for the present, but for years to come. Madrid’s current and past midfield, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro, have held this vital part of the pitch for the better part of the last 7 years. These world class players are prime examples of the fine business which Madrid usually conduct, with a collective spend of 76 million euros on the three of them. Though, as age starts to set in, as it always does in football, with Luka Modric turning 37, Toni Kroos turning 33, and Casemiro turning 31 all this year, Madrid’s legendary midfield may see serious change over the next few years. Although, this period of transition has already been planned for by Real Madrid, already possessing young talents like 19 year old Eduardo Camavinga, who recently signed from Rennes last summer, and Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde, who have both already proved their worthiness to lead this team to many more titles. Similarly, in other parts of the pitch, such as the forward line, Madrid have conducted similar business to ensure that the departure of their aging attackers Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, and Gareth Bale, would not hurt the club, already signing Brazilian youngsters Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in previous summers.
Tchouameni’s new teammates, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Though many have questioned the fee for Tchouameni’s signing, one must realize that to get already established and incredibly talented youngsters in today’s market, a hefty fee almost always has to be paid. Madrid’s signing of Tchouameni is a statement to all other European clubs, that their European throne will not be completely toppled any time soon, and that their team is ready for years to come.
Comments