Aurelien Tchouaméni: Second season successes.

By: PGS | October 24, 2023 3:19 pm
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Signed for £68m in the summer of 2022, Aurelien Tchouaméni joined Real Madrid as the long-term replacement for Casemiro, and as the potential heir to the crown of the title of best defensive midfielder in the world. While initially living up to this billing, and producing some fantastic performances, Tchouaméni’s form dipped after the World Cup, and these issues were never fully solved as his role as the starting defensive midfielder came under threat, as Ancelotti opted to use Toni Kroos as the 6 in most games, especially against big opponents. With the drop-off in confidence caused by the World Cup, and the lack of a consistent role in the team, Tchouaméni’s 2nd half of the season did not replicate his start. Despite the drop-off in the spring, general sentiment around the player going into the 23/24 season remained positive, as he had shown enough to warrant patience, and based on his displays so far, being patient with him has proven to be the right decision.

As most fans had predicted, the best solution to Tchouaméni’s issues would be consistency, and that has proven to be true so far. Out of 12 total Madrid games this season, the Frenchman has started 11, and has looked like one of the best, if not the outright best, defensive midfielder in the world. Tchouaméni has looked near unbeatable on defense, while upping his game in possession considerably. His impact on the team has been so significant that the only LaLiga game the team has lost so far; the 3-1 loss to Atletico, was the only game Tchouaméni did not start.

On the defensive side of things, Tchouaméni has been ridiculous. While his statistics compared to last season on this end are not much different, his real value can be gauged when compared to other players in his role. Having always been one of the most consistent ball winners in Europe (he outright lead the top 5 leagues in combined tackles and interceptions while at Monaco), Tchouaméni’s ability to break-up play and recover possession is arguably the best in the world. Ranking in the 90th percentile or higher for tackles, interceptions, and fewest challenges lost, Tchouaméni’s numbers more than reflect his performances. With over 2 successful tackles and successful aerial duels, Tchouaméni has been imperious both the air and on the ground. While Real Madrid’s midfield as a whole has been incredible at winning the ball back this season, as Fede, Bellingham and Camavinga are also fanstastic ball winners averaging recovery rates higher than the 80thpercentiles, Tchouaméni has still managed to stand out. Acting as a shield in-front of the center-backs, Tchouaméni’s abilities to either bully an oncoming attacker to regain possession, break-up play with a clean tackle that often looks like him wrapping himself around the attacker, or perfectly timing a step-up to intercept, Tchouaméni has been an absolute wall. Even in the game against Osasuna, in which he started at CB, Tchouaméni won the most duels of any player (6), and won 4/5 aerial duels, showing how well he translated his skills into an even deeper role. On top of this, Tchouaméni has also shown that he is very intelligent at understanding when to cover for fullbacks, and often slots at full-back for whichever defender has gone forward. Tchouaméni’s lack of rashness and overt aggression is also a very good trait to have, and one he has displayed this season. Despite his role as a high-volume tackler, the Frenchman rarely over commits to a tackle or gives away a dangerous set-piece. Having received only 2 yellow cards so far, Tchouaméni is a very reliable tackler.

In possession, Tchouaméni has really stood out. One common criticism of the player last season was that in the absence of Kroos, Tchouaméni failed to make-up for the German’s absence, especially what he provided in possession. While replacing Kroos is a near impossible task, Tchouaméni has stepped up considerably, especially considering that Kroos has rotated with other midfielders more often than ever before. Tchouaméni’s successful long passes per game have doubled from 1.7 p90 last season to 3.5 this season, and his forward passes have also increased. Although his total passes p90 has dipped slightly, this can be attributed to the fact that he is playing with one more midfielder than he did last season, and possession is shared amongst the 4 rather than the 3 last season. Despite sharing possession more, in all of the following statistics, Tchouaméni ranks in the 90th percentile or higher: passes completed, pass completion rate, passing distance, progressive passing distance, long pass completion rate, touches, carries, progressive carrying distance, and passes received. To rank this high in all of these categories is a feat very few midfielders in the world can achieve. Tchouaméni has proven to be a constant option for anyone to pass to, a super important trait that he shares with both Kroos and Modrić, and one that is reflected in his touches and passes received stats. Kroos ranks in the 99th percentile for passes received, Modrić in the 95th and Tchouaméni in the 97th, which shows how central he really is to Real Madrid’s play. Moreover, in terms of his role at Madrid, Tchouaméni is the club’s 2nd best passer into the final 3rd, and 2nd best progressive passer, both behind Kroos, while ranking 3rd overall in LaLiga for both metrics.

As Kroos and Modrić age out, Tchouaméni’s role on the ball grows in importance. From his teammates touted as the future of Real Madrid’s midfield, Tchouaméni is the deepest player, and will have the burden of being the primary orchestrator from deep. Bellingham is an in-between the presence who plays higher-up, almost as a hybrid 8/10 role, and even as a pseudo false-9 this season, Fede and Camavinga play at 8 and are far less reserved than Tchouaméni, with both players being naturally inclined to carry the ball up very fast, as their main strengths in terms of ball progression lie in their ball-carrying ability. Due to these stylistic differences, the responsibility of a more reserved player, who progresses play through a wide range of passing, or slows down play with smart, short passing falls on Tchouaméni’s shoulders. Furthermore, being the natural 6, Tchouaméni is also the likeliest passing option for the goalkeeper and center-backs while building from deep, and the need for him to be secure on the ball, and to be a consistent progressive and long passer, is huge. Based on what he has shown so far, this role could be one he could excel in. Evading pressure has never been an issue for him, as his strength combined with his excellent technical ability in regards to dribbling and passing in tight spaces makes him a perfect profile to undertake such a role. Tchouaméni may not have the passing range and variety of techniques that Kroos and Modrić have perfected yet, he has still shown that the potential for him to develop into such distributors is there. Their volume and peak may never be replicated, but there may not be a need to. On the creative side of things, the burden has been shifted to Bellingham, and the combined creative and progressive abilities of Fede and Camavinga will surely compensate as well.

In a new-look Real Madrid side, Tchouaméni could be both the wall in front of the defense, while also being the catalyst for attacks from deep. His improvements this season have helped the team immensely right now, while giving an extremely positive outlook for his future in the team. If this trend continues, Tchouaméni could very well hit and exceed all expectations, and be an anchor for the midfield for a decade or more.

It’s still early, but the response must come fast

By: Ardit Lipa | October 27, 2024 9:30 am
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Real Madrid suffered a tough defeat in the biggest match of the season so far – falling 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu against the biggest rivals, Barcelona.

The defeat – not only did stop Real Madrid from going 43 games unbeaten in La Liga, but also gave a reality check to everyone in the team & outside of it, of where the team really stands, showcasing perfectly every flaw that this star studded team has.

Instead of focusing on the negatives that are quite obvious, we will try to find the positives – a task that realistically, seems very difficult.

But are there any positives to take from last night? From the game, no. Mentally, yes.

Even though the difference at the top is now 6 points for Barcelona, the league is still with 27 games ahead & the chances for response are big. But, instead of focusing on the rival – Real Madrid should focus on themselves & try to make things better.

Since the season has started, the performances have been average at best – and even the wins, have not been very convincing, often secured by a goal difference and in the last minutes of the game.

It’s not a matter of quality – because if you take a look at the individuals – it is the best team in the world, but it’s matter of performance and attitude & the attitude has clearly been missing by the team’s main stars that so far, have not shown their best version, none of them.

Aside of that – the coach, has isolated some players totally, not giving them the chance to prove themselves, such as Arda Güler & Endrick, who in the limited minutes have shown that they can make a difference, and you can expect them to atleast be trusted when you’re attacking and chasing a 2-0 result.

Generally, a lot of things should be improved – like performance, attitude and dividing the minutes to different players – and if you’ve been a fan of Real Madrid for too long, you know that the team always responds, and it should not be expected different this time. BUT, this doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be overreaction – because the signs are really worrying, and the response – unlike other times, MUST be immediate.

The positive, is that it’s only October & there are almost 50 matches in all competitions left to play, so the margin for improvement is really, really big.

Now, it’s time to put all the questions on the table and find the answers to all of them – one by one.

The trust is big, as always. As Toni Kroos said – at the end we are Real Madrid.

Neymar backs Vinícius Jr. for Ballon d’Or after an impressive season

By: TheMadridZone | October 14, 2024 12:21 pm
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Neymar Jr. has publicly voiced his support for Vinícius Jr. to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. In an emotional moment, Neymar stated, “I am supporting Vini Jr. to win the Ballon d’Or. He had a great season and no one deserves it more.”

Vinícius Jr., who played a pivotal role for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team, has been in outstanding form throughout the season. His performances have captured global attention, making him one of the frontrunners for the award, and with Neymar’s backing, his candidacy grows even stronger.

Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jonathan Tah to bolster defense amid injury crisis

By: TheMadridZone | 12:19 pm
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Real Madrid are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah to strengthen their defense in light of recent injuries. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has informed the club that reinforcements are crucial to maintaining their competitive edge this season.

Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking ability and defensive versatility have made him a vital asset for Liverpool, while Tah’s strength and reliability in the Bundesliga have been key to Bayer Leverkusen’s success. With both players on Real Madrid’s radar, the Spanish giants are looking to bolster their squad depth as they face a challenging season ahead.

Trent Alexander-Arnold or Alphonso Davies, who does Real Madrid need more?

By: PGS | August 2, 2024 6:54 am
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Real Madrid are reportedly interested in two of the world’s best fullbacks: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies, and the club are aiming to sign them for free in 2025, when their respective contracts end with their clubs. In an ideal scenario, the club will be able to sign both, as both are phenomenal talents that would improve the club. However, a scenario could arise in which the club would be forced to choose between one or the other. The club’s modus operandi when signing players in recent years has been to encourage their targets not to renew, sign them for free to save up on transfer fees, and offer them high wages. This method was used to first sign David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger and Kylian Mbappé have also been signed with the same method. The club is now aiming to do the same with Trent and Davies, and the club could be in a situation in which they will have to decide which way to pour more resources. Both are elite talents around their prime, and both will demand high wages. So, if the club is in a position to choose only one, the question arises; who does Real Madrid need more?

The answer, in the opinion of the author, is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While Trent and Davies are both known to be exceptional offensive talents, their styles of play are very different. Davies is a monster in transition, a super quick player who originally started as a winger and later transitioned into a fullback. He is a player who loves to take players on, something that is reflected in his monstrous 3.1 take-ons completed p90 (comparable to prime Marcelo numbers). In a footrace, there are very few players in the world who can keep up with the Canadian, and his main way of attacking comes from beating his man and creating chaos with his dribbling and speed.

Trent on the other hand, is not the athlete Davies is, but is a passing wizard. Slower, and a worse dribbler than Davies (only 1.2 take-ons p90), Trent’s main strength is his final ball. Attempting 7.1 crosses p90 and completing 2.3, compared to 1.4 attempts with 0.5 completed for Davies, their differences are clear to see. Trent is seen as one of the best passers and crossers in the world, and is also an elite set-piece taker. His passing range and technique put midfielders to shame, and his passing in transition is some of the best in the world.

So, why do Real Madrid need Trent more than they do Davies? The answer is the stylistic profiles of both Trent, and the players at hand at Real Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold can be seen as almost being tailor-made to fit this current Real Madrid side. A truly devastating passer in transition, a player who completes 30 forward passes a game, 1 through ball and 6.2 long balls, Trent is a one-man transition weapon. For comparison, Toni Kroos completed 9.8 long-balls a game last season. While Trent’s long passing is not Kroos’, with Kroos’ departure, having someone of Trent’s quality will go a long way in helping fill that void. While Davies also has his offensive talents, the gap between him and Trent in these departments is immense. Davies completes 16 forward passes p90, only 0.4 long balls and 0.2 through-balls. Davies’ skills in transition are his ball-carrying and speed, while Trent’s are his precision passing and ability to spread the play immediately.

Analyzing these different skills in the context of Real Madrid, it becomes clear that Trent’s skillset is a better fit. Firstly, there is the task of replacing Kroos’ passing. While no player in football can do that, Trent’s ability to switch play, find targets on the run with pinpoint precision, and set-off attacks in transition will go a long way in helping mitigate some of the effects of Kroos’ departure. Then, you have to look at the attackers that will be starting for Madrid. Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo are as fast an attack as you will ever see. All three are incredibly fast and are truly devastating in transition. Imagine a counter-attack with the three on the break, and Trent finding them with his long-passing. An attack like that would truly be unstoppable.

Furthermore, Trent would also be an incredible outlet option on the right. All three aforementioned players and Jude Bellingham naturally gravitate towards the left. Naturally, there will be an overload there that will force opposition defenses to crowd that area, leaving the right open, something we saw every game during the threepeat era. A quick switch to an open Trent who will have ample space to cross or shoot would be a truly elite weapon in Real Madrid’s locker. Jude would also be an elite crossing target, but Trent’s crossing is so good that even without tall targets in the box, he has managed a remarkable number of assists for Liverpool. None of Salah, Mane and Firmino were truly great aerial targets, but Trent found them consistently regardless, and the same can be expected with his Real Madrid targets. With this skillset, Trent is also a much better creator than Davies, creating 2.7 chances p90, compared to 1.6 for the Canadian. Trent also helps mitigate the effects of losing a set-piece taker, as Trent has been the primary corner and free-kick taker for Liverpool, and has done an exceptional job so far.

These stylistic profiles are also why Davies is not as big of a need as Trent is. What he excels at, Vinícius, Mbappé and Rodrygo also excel at. Being a left-back, Davies would also play in the flank that these three like to play-in, and while having an elite attacking fullback on that side would be a plus point, not having him would not be a problem either. The right side on the other hand, is relatively lacking in attacking talent, mainly with the starting XI. All of Madrid’s natural right-sided attackers are expected to come off the bench, with Brahim, Endrick and Arda, the teams three left footed attackers, will not be bonafide starters. As a result, the main threat on the right will come from Fede Valverde’s runs. Right now, Carvajal provides width and is elite at it, but signing Trent adds another, truly world class, weapon on the right, and sets-up a long-term replacement for Carvajal as well.

On the defensive side of things, an equally important part of their game, both Trent and Davies have come under criticism. Seen as attacking fullbacks with average defensive games, Trent and Davies both have deficiencies on their part. Trent is infamous for his propensity to leave the back-post unguarded and lose his marker, while Davies is often criticized for his lack of positional discipline. Both are not elite defenders, but are not bad either. Statistically, they produce similar defensive numbers, with Davies completing slightly more tackles p90 (2.1 vs 1.7), while Trent has very slight leads in interceptions (1.3 vs 1.2) and clearances (1.8 vs 1.7). Yet, despite their defensive weaknesses, Madrid fans do not need to be concerned. Defending is far more reliant on the team’s structure than individual talent, and with a midfield of Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Jude and Fede in front of them, they will have more than enough cover to go on their marauding runs.

Age is also a factor. Dani Carvajal may have had the season of his career last season, but he will be 33 by the time the 2025 summer rolls around, and Lucas will have reached 34. Ferland Mendy on the other hand, will have just turned 30, and Fran Garcia will be reaching his 25th birthday. Taking into account this aspect as well, Trent is the better, more needed option for the team next summer.

As said before, the ideal scenario would be signing both, but if the club was to be faced with the decision, then Trent should be the club’s choice.

Arda Güler cuts his vacation short

By: Ardit Lipa | July 26, 2024 12:01 pm
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Arda Güler has cut his vacation short to return training for the new season.

Real Madrid’s 19-year old gem had a really positive EURO 2024 with Türkiye, exceeding everyone’s expectations while reaching the quarterfinals & going out just in the quarterfinals.

Going that far in the tournament, Arda Güler was scheduled to have a longer vacation, but the Turkish star has decided to cut them short & will return to Madrid tomorrow, where he will start training with the team and travel to USA on Sunday for the preseason tour.

Arda spent his vacation in Bodrum in Türkiye & Maldvies, where he was seen constantly individually training – preparing for the new season.

Güler had a first season full of unlucky injuries, but in the limited minutes he had at the end of the season – he scored 6 goals, impressing everyone & also was fantastic in EURO 2024, letting it be known that he can have a much bigger role in 2024/25.

The Turkish star wants to start strongly in preseason, to slowly gain a place for himself & get more minutes. With other players coming later to preseason, Arda Güler will be a starter in the preseason games vs Milan (August 1st), Barcelona (August 4th) & Chelsea (August 7th).

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