After what we saw at the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso came away with a very clear idea of what Real Madrid has and what it needs. The coach has made two priority requests to Florentino: a center back and a midfielder. The club is somewhat reluctant to continue investing large sums of money in a player who has yet to convince. For now, the coach will have to make do with what he has at home, where he has a key player who can fulfill both roles: Aurelien Tchouaméni.
The importance of Tchouaméni
Tchouaméni was already an important player for Carlo Ancelotti, who placed him at the heart of the defense when the team needed him, but he failed to exploit the player’s full potential, something that the new coach of the white team seems to be achieving. Speaking to the press, Xabi emphasized the importance he attaches to the player and the role he can play in the team. “Aurélien Tchouaméni has that desire to progress, to improve, to want to be important. Tchouaméni is a fundamental pillar because of his weight, because of the different roles he can play depending on the position he has to occupy…”
Xabi Alonso’s plan is to turn the Frenchman into a complete, all-round player. He wants Tchouaméni to be a hybrid between a third center back and a midfielder depending on the phase of the game and the moment the team finds itself in. A third center back when the opponent attacks, and a fourth midfielder when Real Madrid has possession. There are things to improve, but he is key.
“Aurélien Tchouaméni can be a hybrid and play as a center back and midfielder. We’re not going to limit ourselves to one idea, and tactical flexibility is what will give us alternatives to find solutions. He’s a fundamental pillar because of his importance and his profile. He’s always making small decisions to contribute to the team. He’s eager to progress and wants to be important,” said the coach a few days ago during the World Cup.
Versatility at the service of the team
The player’s versatility has been clear during the Club World Cup, and he has shown himself to be a fundamental pillar of the team. That versatility was clear in the match against Juventus, where Xabi Alonso expected a much more aggressive Italian side, so he once again started with the French player in defense, eventually placing him as a double pivot alongside Arga Guler, which allowed the team to dominate the game. “At the beginning, with Aurélien too deep, we had too many people behind the ball… As we had an extra man coming out, we put in a double 6 with Arda and Tchouaméni, with the center backs turning the game around because Kolo Muani was getting in behind us when we tried to play the ball quickly,” said Alonso.
Arda Güler’s teammate
Alonso wants to make Arda a complete footballer. He has repositioned him in midfield and given him the reins of the team, as well as freedom of movement to direct the team’s play, where he is proving that he can be the new Modric. At least in offensive duties, but there is much to improve defensively, as is the case with his teammate, so they could be the perfect pairing and what the team needs to be the King of Europe once again.