Real Madrid News
Official: Aurelien Tchouameni ruled out of Osasuna vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid have yet another concern on their hands ahead of an important week as midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been withdrawn from the squad to face CA Osasuna later tonight.
The club have issued an official statement confirming that the French midfielder will not be travelling to Pamplona for tonight’s match due to the flu.
In his place, youngster Mario Martin has been drafted into the squad by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid are already without star man and club captain Karim Benzema for the trip to El Sadar. The Frenchman has been rested due to fatigue ahead of the pivotal Champions League encounter against Liverpool next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos is also not part of the squad for the Osasuna clash as he is yet to recover from gastroenteritis and the midfielder is a doubt for the game against Liverpool as well.
As for Tchouameni, the 2022 FIFA World Cup finalist was expected to start for Real Madrid today against Osasuna.
However, his late withdrawal could lead to his compatriot, Eduardo Camavinga, taking up the defensive midfield slot for Real Madrid at El Sadar, potentially partnering Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos in the centre of the park.
Los Blancos will be hoping that Tchouameni is able to recover in time for the Champions League clash against Liverpool away at Anfield next week.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid have two objectives for the upcoming summer transfer window. The centre-forward and the right-wing position are seen as the two positions to be reinforced but no decision has been made yet about making a move.
This comes over and above the Merengues’ pre-existing need for new midfielders and full-backs in the coming windows.
At first sight, it may appear that Los Blancos are well stacked in the final third. In Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes, they have three starting quality players who are well-complemented by the likes of Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde.
Yet, Vinicius is the only player on the aforementioned list who can boast of a starting role in a fixed position for at least the next decade.
There is worry over the centre-forward role considering Benzema’s lack of form and fitness throughout the current campaign. With the Ballon d’Or winner already 35, the club need a young reinforcement soon which is evident with the team’s struggle for goals this term.
Los Blancos have already invested heavily in Endrick in this regard. However, that has not stopped them from following established options like Dusan Vlahovic and Erling Haaland as their Brazilian wonderkid will not arrive until 2024.
The right wing is also understaffed despite the presence of young Rodrygo and Fede Valverde. The duo have no dearth of talent but have not managed to click on the wing as well as the manager would have liked.
Thus, it remains to be seen as to who the club targets to strengthen the wing and aim to stretch the play. Given the heavy investment planned for Jude Bellingham, a low-cost option is likely to be considered.
