Real Madrid News
Video: Aurelien Tchouameni scores rocket for France vs England
Defending champions France are facing off against Gareth Southgate’s England in the final Quarterfinal clash of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After three nervy, world-class clashes preceding it, the hopes for the gargantuan clash are certainly high.
The opening goal on such a big night undoubtedly plays a massive role in deciding the final result. Not only does it lift up the scoring side but puts the opponents under a mountain of pressure that is difficult to conquer. On the night, it was France that got the early breakthrough and it was a doozy from the boots of Aurelien Tchouameni that did the deal.
Tchouameni what a goal! pic.twitter.com/Gt30kOtmcE
— TC (@totalcristiano) December 10, 2022
In the 17th minute, a quick French counterattack ended with Antoine Griezmann laying the ball back to the feet of Aurelien Tchouameni a long way from goal. Completely disregarding the distance from the goal, the Real Madrid midfielder fired the ball goalwards. The shot went in between the legs of Jude Bellingham and straight into the bottom right corner past a helpless Pickford.
The pressure is now on England to come up with a creative solution and break down the resilient French block. The winner on the night will play Morocco in the semifinal later this week.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
