Real Madrid News
Tchouameni opens up about playing out of position and Real Madrid’s midfield needs
Aurelien Tchouameni has quickly become a respected figure at Real Madrid not just for his skill on the pitch, but also for his personality off it.
Since joining the Spanish giants, the French midfielder has shown maturity beyond his years. Whether starting in big games or being asked to step into unfamiliar roles, he has always put the team first.
The 2024/25 season was not easy for Tchouameni. Due to injuries and lack of defensive options, he was asked to fill in as a centre-back, far from his natural position in midfield.
While it wasn’t ideal, the 25-year-old approached the situation with full professionalism.
“If the manager asks me to play in defence, I can’t say no,” he said honestly. “I prefer to play in the centre, but we’ll see in the next games.”
Focused on the team, not transfers
Now working under new manager Xabi Alonso, Tchouameni continues to show his team-first attitude. In his first game with Alonso in charge, he once again filled in at the back.
Asked about his role in midfield, he chuckled, “I can’t say (laughs). A lot of intensity with and without the ball. Helping the team bring the ball out, pressing, passing, and creating chances. Everything.”
When questioned about whether Madrid should sign a new creative midfielder, Tchouameni dodged the spotlight.
“What do you think?” he asked the journalist. After hearing the reply, he added, “Then you’ll have to ask the president or the manager. That’s not my job. My job is to play in midfield and give my all for the team.”
He also admitted the pain of watching last season’s Champions League final from home. “It was difficult. We were really hurt. We want to win that trophy again because we know what it means to this club,” he concluded.
Source: MARCA
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
