After a successful 2021/22 season, it does not look like Real Madrid are taking their foot off the gas pedal as they have been quite busy in the transfer market so far as they already have made massive signings to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
The 14-time Champions League winners made their first summer signing in the form of Antonio Rudiger, as the German defender signed for Real Madrid on a free transfer and is undoubtedly a solid addition to enhance Los Blancos’ defense.
Their second summer signing is Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, with Real Madrid confirming the signing of the 22-year-old midfielder on a six-year contract with the Spanish giants forking up a massive transfer fee of €80 million to acquire his services.
While it’s an enormous transfer fee to get over, Tchouameni is a quality player with loads to offer to Real Madrid. The Frenchman will add much-needed energy to Madrid’s midfield and possess strong qualities that will prove to be an asset – such as his excellent technical quality, athleticism, and defensive capabilities.
Given the historic midfield trident of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro, it remains to be seen whether or not Tchouameni will be given a significant role in the starting lineup; however, with Real Madrid paying a heavy investment on the former Monaco man, and with the need for the club to reinvigorate their aging midfield, Tchouameni could be granted significant minutes under Carlo Ancelotti in the upcoming season.
With that said, here are three possible lineups in which Tchouameni can be incorporated into Real Madrid’s starting eleven for the upcoming season.
A defensive midfielder in the 4-3-3 formation
Courtois
Carvajal – Rudiger – Alaba – Mendy
Modric – Tchouameni – Kroos
Valverde – Benzema – Vinicius
During his time in Monaco, Tchouameni primarily operated on the left side of a double pivot. While Ancelotti doesn’t necessarily use a dual pivot in his system at Real Madrid, we’ll likely see the continuation of the tried and tested 4-3-3 formation in the upcoming season.
With no need to step away from this system as it has been working wonders and provides Los Blancos with a perfect balance, Tchouameni operating in the Casemiro role makes perfect sense for this lineup.
The Frenchman embodies the perfect traits of a modern-day defensive midfielder. Physical, combative, aggressive, quick, and a great passer, Tchouameni has what it takes to excel as a lone defensive midfielder in Ancelotti’s setup.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old’s statistics from the previous season were rather impressive, as they more than prove he’s capable of operating as a defensive midfielder.
Courtesy of Fbref, Tchouameni ranked in the top percentiles in nearly every defensive statistic, with his most standout numbers being his 3.56 interceptions and 2.92 tackles per 90.
Moreover, having experienced veterans such as Modric and Kroos alongside Tchouameni in the midfield will only enhance the Frenchman’s ability, and that’s ultimately crucial in his development as a young player.
A central midfielder in the 4-3-3 formation
Courtois
Carvajal – Rudiger – Alaba – Mendy
Modric – Casemiro – Tchouameni
Valverde – Benzema – Vinicius
As previously mentioned, Ancelotti will most likely be sticking with the renowned 4-3-3 formation, so another realistic possibility in which Tchouameni is likely to be incorporated into the starting eleven would be in the number 8 role as a central midfielder.
In this setup, the Frenchman would likely take on the responsibilities of the Kroos role, serving as a box-to-box presence in midfield.
Regarding his ability on the ball, Tchouameni is not as technically savvy or has the tremendous passing ability of Kroos. Still, his passing statistics from his prior season at Monaco are impressive and provide an excellent insight into how well his passing ability is.
Averaging a pass completion percentage of 86% and having 5.66 progressive passes is impressive. Moreover, the 22-year-old scored six goals and provided two assists throughout the previous season.
While he can improve offensively, playing at a possession-oriented club such as Real Madrid will help him enhance traits such as his passing and decision-making.
Those traits will improve immensely in playing a number 8 role in this formation. They will provide him with a license to roam forward, especially when the defensive presence of Casemiro is there.
Tchouameni does operate more efficiently as a number 6; however, utilizing the Frenchman higher up the pitch is a very realistic probability, and it’s likely we’ll be seeing him playing in that role in the upcoming season.
A double pivot in the 4-4-2 formation
Courtois
Carvajal – Rudiger – Alaba – Mendy
Valverde – Tchouameni – Modric – Rodrygo
Benzema – Vinicius
During his time at Monaco, Tchouameni was primarily deployed on the left side of a double pivot, and utilizing him in this role at Real Madrid could work. Tchouameni would serve as the defensive anchor in the pivot, alongside a creative presence such as Modric in midfield.
The 4-3-3 is Real Madrid’s bread and butter formation, but changing it up slightly might not be too ridiculous. Yes, the 4-3-3 does provide Ancelotti’s side with a perfect structural balance; however, the Italian manager could still utilize a variation of the 4-4-2, and we’ve seen him use the formation some times during the previous season.
In this setup, having Valverde and Rodrygo out wide would be suitable, and Modric can be interchanged with Kroos or Camavinga alongside Tchouameni should Ancelotti opt to use this formation.
Up top, the Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior duo would be the most likely striking partnership. The use of a number 10 in Marco Asensio or Eden Hazard is also probable, albeit their positions are crucial first-team players are still up in the air.
Nevertheless, regardless of which lineup Ancelotti decides to deploy, it’s pretty apparent that we’ll be seeing Tchouameni in two roles throughout the season, either as a number 6 or as a number 8.
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The future is promising for Real Madrid, and with their latest midfield acquisition, Madridistas have every reason to be excited for what is to come. Get ready for the emergence of a new midfield great at the Santiago Bernabeu because Tchouameni is ready to make his mark as part of this legendary club.