Real Madrid News
Ancelotti sees 24-year-old Real Madrid star as a key player despite criticism this season
While Real Madrid’s front line possesses the biggest names and the most firepower, several other key cogs in the squad allow the team to function.
Among them is Aurelien Tchouameni. Despite some shaky displays this season, the Frenchman has established himself as a mainstay in the squad and has earned the coaching staff’s full faith.
Ancelotti considers Tchouameni to be key
Indeed, according to MARCA, Carlo Ancelotti views Tchouameni as a key figure in his tactical framework, despite external criticism of the player’s performances.
After Toni Kroos’ departure, Ancelotti had to reshape his midfield, with the 24-year-old midfielder bearing the brunt of the transition.
Although the Frenchman has drawn some criticism as a result, the coaching staff places great faith in Tchouameni.
Tchouameni’s availability has been key
With Eduardo Camavinga being injured, Tchouameni has become even more crucial for Ancelotti, starting all five matches and playing 423 minutes, only being subbed off once.
As such, his recent foot injury has heightened concerns within Real Madrid’s medical staff, with the piling list of absentees making his void harder to fill.
Nonetheless, there is optimism that he will return before the international break reaches its conclusion.
His versatility makes him even more invaluable
Moreover, Eder Militao’s injury in defence further highlights Tchouameni’s importance to Ancelotti.
With limited reinforcements, David Alaba sidelined indefinitely, and Jesus Vallejo in a secondary role, Tchouameni is now also functioning as Real Madrid’s third centre-back.
Last season, the player stepped in admirably on a few occasions in defence, further highlighting his valued ability to fill gaps at the back when needed.
Consequently, losing the Frenchman for a prolonged period of time would be a double setback—costing both a midfielder and a defender.
In any case, the Merengues remain unfazed by the criticism Tchouameni has received, understanding that he has been handling a difficult transition and look forward to reclaiming one of their most important assets.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho talks Carlos Espi, Diomande, Guler, Tchouameni, Atletico Madrid after Elche 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid found another way to win, but Jose Mourinho was hardly celebrating the manner of it.
Carlos Espi’s injury-time strike completed a 3-2 comeback against Elche, rescuing Madrid after they had surrendered control of a game that appeared to be in their hands.
For Mourinho, the result was welcome, but the performance raised a familiar concern.
“When everything seems easy and you let things slide, it’s dangerous. Then the team reacts and wins, but it’s not pleasant.
“The other good thing is that nobody gets bored with these matches. They’re fun,” he began saying.
Mourinho knows what is going wrong
The Portuguese coach was particularly frustrated by another drop in intensity after the interval.
Real Madrid had opportunities to put the game beyond Elche before allowing their advantage to disappear. Mourinho believes that pattern is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
“It seems obvious to me. It’s easy to understand. These are games that are all but over, where we have chances to seal the deal but don’t. After failing to do so, we go from having it easy to losing control.
“If we play poorly from the first minute to the 90th, the concern is huge.
“If we have periods where we’re at our best and others where we’re not proactive, just waiting, lacking intensity… Of course it’s a concern. But we won.”
The win keeps Madrid moving, but Mourinho’s concern is less about the points than the way his team is repeatedly making matches unnecessarily complicated.
Carlos Espi again provided the decisive moment from the bench, although Mourinho knows breaking into the starting XI will be difficult with Mbappé ahead of him.
“He’s a guy who works hard and is very motivated,” Mourinho said.
He then added, “He’s up against a player who’s in a league of his own (Mbappe), and we’re well aware of that.”
Madrid derby comes at a delicate moment
Next up is Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho’s attention is already turning towards the derby.
Rather than focusing on the opposition, he remains concerned about his own side’s ability to manage matches.
“The only explanation I can find is that we can’t keep going like this. We misjudged the opportunities we had, and once they score a goal, everything changes,” explained the Real Madrid coach.
Meanwhile, there were positives to take from individual performances, as Mourinho praised Yan Diomande’s development after another energetic outing.
“He’s improving. Physically, you can tell he has more minutes under his belt. He has a great work ethic and intelligence—he’s done a great job.”
Mourinho refuses to call Guler indispensable
Arda Guler’s importance was also questioned after another fantastic performance, but Mourinho rejected the idea that any player is beyond replacement.
“No, no one is indispensable. We were losing control when I made the substitutions; Vini did a great job on defence, but he was very tired.
“And Arda, who was playing in the number 10 position, was also losing intensity.
“I brought in a fresh Jude and Brahim when we were down 0-2, but I could sense we were losing control. That’s how it goes for us. And then, we brought in the heavy artillery and turned it around.”
Mourinho was also pleased with Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde during Madrid’s strongest spells.
“When the team was playing well, he and Valverde were playing well. They broke through the pressure easily, with skill.
“But the game had two phases—or rather three: one until it was 0–2, another until it was 2–2, and another until the end. They did a good job,” he concluded.
Source: AS
