Real Madrid News
Real Madrid youngster determined to earn his place back in the starting lineup
If there is one player in Real Madrid who is under pressure to prove his worth, it is Aurelien Tchouameni. The youngster endured a rough second half of the season in 2022/23 and now has a mountain to climb given the competition in midfield.
Los Blancos boast of a daunting blend of veterans and youth in the middle of the park. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos bring the experience to the table, while Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde promise versatility and dynamism.
As it stands, Tchouameni is one of the last names on the pecking order given his drop in form. However, one factor playing to his advantage is his specialisation as a pivot.
According to reports from MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), the French star is determined to win back his starting position next season. While it will not be easy, the youngster has shown to have what it takes to succeed at the highest level before.
If reports from last month are to be believed, Carlo Ancelotti sees Tchouameni as a starter for the coming campaign. This eases the prodigy’s cause by giving him a kickstart to his mission, although his continuity will boil down to consistency in the long run.
The 23-year-old made 33 La Liga appearances for Los Blancos last season, his first with the club, but averaged just 65 minutes per game. Further, he made just 24 starts in the league campaign and had four assists to show for it.
The pre-season campaign soon will thus be vital for his confidence. With Real Madrid moving towards a younger midfield core, Tchouameni will likely be a regular starter alongside Camavinga and Bellingham as the campaign begins. However, he could be the weak link in the setup if he does not up his game.
Real Madrid News
Bellingham on his special assist in Girona 0-3 Real Madrid: “Been watching Luka every day”
Real Madrid usurped the top spot in the La Liga standings from arch-rivals FC Barcelona as they defeated Girona 3-0 away at Estadi Montilivi.
It was a fine performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men against Michel’s side, with the returning Jude Bellingham leading the way for his team.
After being benched against Las Palmas in midweek, the England international returned to the starting XI today and turned in yet another Man of the Match display for Real Madrid.
It all started with Joselu opening the scoring just 15 minutes into the game, with Bellingham assisting the goal with a special, outside-of-the-boot pass from the left side, bringing back memories of Luka Modric doing something similar a few years ago.
Talking about that special pass, Bellingham said: “I’ve been watching Luka every day for months. I just want to be creative. It took the pressure off us at the start.”
On the match and the result, the 20-year-old stated that it was a good day across the board for Real Madrid, as he said: “It was an important win. They were doing very well. We made a statement of intent to La Liga. Three goals, a clean sheet….”
It has been a truly remarkable start to life at Real Madrid for Bellingham and expressing how he feels to play for the Merengues, he exclaimed:
“I feel very good. I have freedom of movement and I’m enjoying football. Whenever I put on this shirt I always try to do my best.”
Apart from assisting Joselu’s opener, Bellingham also got his name on the scoresheet in the second period. Talking about his goal, the wonderkid said:
“It wasn’t a very good finish. I could have scored some more, but the important thing is the victory.”
The strike meant that Bellingham now has seven goals and two assists across all competitions for Real Madrid. Reflecting on his brilliant start, he said:
“It’s a good start, not bad. I would like to continue on this path and I won’t always score or assist, but I will always give my best.”
Bellingham’s celebration has been a huge hit, with kids in school, players from other clubs, and many others mimicking it. When asked how his special celebration originated, he replied:
“I don’t know where I first celebrated. I think it was with Birmingham. It’s an inspiration to see kids doing it in schools. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Source: AS
