Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder did not train with national team due to calf discomfort
With the France national team set to face off against Morocco in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in a couple of days, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is suffering from a discomfort in his calf.
This claim comes from French publication L’Equipe, who report that the 22-year-old midfielder was not spotted in training with the rest of the team as a result of the discomfort.
Tchouameni has been a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for France at the World Cup so far. The youngster has been delivering solid performances one after the other for Didier Deschamps’ side, helping them progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
In fact, the former AS Monaco ace even scored a golazo as France defeated England 2-1 in the quarter-finals this past weekend.
Tchouameni’s absence though is said to be only precautionary and, as things stand, there is no danger of him missing the semi-final encounter against Morocco in a couple of days.
The midfielder arrived at Real Madrid this past summer, arriving from Monaco in the summer in a deal that could rise up to €100 million. He has already established himself as a key player in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans and is doing the same on the international stages with France.
Indeed, Tchouameni has started each of France’s five matches at the World Cup so far and has clocked up a total of 413 minutes.
In the absence of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, Tchouameni has stepped up in a big way for the reigning world champions and they will be hoping that he is ready in time to face Morocco in the semi-finals.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
