Real Madrid News
Tchouameni misses training with a hip bruise ahead of World Cup final – report
According to RMC Sport, Real Madrid and France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is not training ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 final due to a hip bruise.
Tchouameni arrived at Real Madrid this past summer and has become a key member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team, ensuring that Casemiro’s departure has not been felt at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Similarly, he has been a big presence in the France midfield unit at the World Cup, taking greater responsibility in the absence of key figures like N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba.
The 22-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for France at the World Cup so far, featuring in all of their six matches from the group stages to the semi-finals. Tchouameni even scored a golazo in the quarter-final win over England.
So, the development regarding his dealing with a hip bruise comes as a major concern for France manager Didier Deschamps.
Tchouameni is understood to be at the stadium where France are training but has not participated in any sessions, along with former Real Madrid left-back Theo Hernandez, who is dealing with a knee issue.
Apart from the pair, another ex-Real Madrid ace, Raphael Varane, is not training due to the virus that has hit the France squad. Ibrahima Konate, too, is down with the same bug while Kingsley Coman is also not training for the reigning world champions.
It remains to be seen if Tchouameni’s issue is serious and whether it impacts his availability for the finals of the World Cup on Sunday when Les Bleus face Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
