Real Madrid’s latest signing this season, Aurelien Tchouameni was doubted by a lot of football fans all over the world whether or not he would be able to deliver justice to his price tag which was a huge concern for critics and Madridistas all over the world.
The over-elevated transfer revenues started back in 2017 when Neymar Jr. joined PSG for a wobbling €244M. But that price tag for a world-famous and renowned player who has turned a lot of heads in the World Cup was one of the main stars in FC Barcelona’s triumph to UCL and also made the Ballon D’or podium.
Also what the world might agree, splashing the bills on talented and young forward prospects is a usual thing. Whether it’s Darwin Nunez to Liverpool FC for €75M or Antony to Manchester United for €95M, they are somewhat justified in people’s eyes considering the fact that forwards attract the most attention from fans at any footballing stage
But in the midst of all these, how does the €100M, including add-ons, the price tag for Tchouameni – a defensive midfielder from a not-so-famous club – AS Monaco, playing in the relatively less popular – Ligue 1, justify?
A rock in a football jersey
With Casemiro, the man who had been the spine of Real Madrid for such a long time and played a vital role in Real’s triumph to 4 UCLs, there was a visible lock of a proper holding midfielder who drop back and the play the pivot alongside Toni Kroos or Eduardo Camavinga so that the other 2 midfielders can focus on creativity with pressing getting absorbed by the new number 6.
Qualities like vision and passing and the art of forming a proper connection between the backline and the final third may be a major attribute needed for a modern midfielder which is already mastered by our current players, but what Tchouameni adds to this is his peak defensive abilities.
6’2″, Aurelien is a real rock when it comes to breaking down attacking transitions. Using his physicality and peak reflexes, he can easily spot the build-up from the back-line and position himself, waiting like a predator to intercept or put in the one lethal tackle at the right place so that the team can start a counter.
Numbers speak louder than words
With an astonishing 92% passing accuracy, 2.0 interceptions and 2.6 successful tackles per game, Tchouameni is just the beast you would think is the proper replacement for the incredible Carlos Casemiro.
And rightfully so, because since coming on for the first time, Tchouameni hasn’t for once disappointed the fans. Shouldering the responsibility in big games like the Madrid derby alongside the maestros Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Tchouameni has already started to become the personification of terms like calmness and control.
It would still be a matter of opinion for different people whether or not the €100M price tag is justified yet, especially for a defensive midfielder, but considering the current market and the youngsters emerging, it would not even be possible for Real to find a better player who would most certainly be holding the core of Real’s midfield for the upcoming decade.
