Casemiro joined Manchester United in the transfer window just closed, for a reported initial fee of £60million from Real Madrid. Given the Brazilian’s monstrous performances during Los Blancos’ success in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last season, many wondered why the Spanish side would let a player that pivotal leave. Sunday’s Madrid derby at the Wanda showed exactly why Real Madrid let Casemiro go: Aurélien Tchouaméni.
The 22-year-old French International completed his switch to the Santiago Bernabéu in June this year for a reported mammoth €100million fee. He gained his reputation after stellar performances in the number 6 role in France, averaging more than 5 tackles + interceptions per match in Ligue 1 during his two campaigns in Monaco.
After the failed pursuit of fellow French star Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez switched his attention to Tchouaméni, with the aim of building a midfield for the future to replace the aging Modric, Kroos and Casemiro. Los Blancos have done outstanding squad building to assemble a midfield three of Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga to replace the legendary three-peat UCL winning trio.
However, Tchouaméni’s performances in training must’ve impressed Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of Real Madrid’s coaching staff, as the Club did not seem too hesitant to let Casemiro go if his valuation was met.
This was done in August as United’s bid of £60million with a potential further £10million in add-ons was deemed suitable to Perez for a midfielder aged 30, that’s majorly contributed to five UCL triumphs during his time.
Since making his debut for Madrid in August, Tchouaméni has shown immense quality which suggests the French star could play the holding midfield role on his own, such is his giant physique and immaculate technical ability.
Tchouaméni has exhibited technical quality on the ball that isn’t normally associated with a holding, defensive midfielder. The former Bordeaux academy player has two assists so far this season, whilst making 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes for Real Madrid to go with his 92% pass accuracy.
One of Tchouaméni’s assists came in the Madrid derby on Sunday evening, as the midfielder played an insanely good, perfectly-weighted pass over the Atletico backline into the path of Rodrygo, who finished the move off smartly.
The assist capped an amazing performance from Tchouaméni, whose stats for the game is evident as to why he was named Man of the Match in the derby.
The performances of Real against Atletico at the weekend was a bit different than we’ve seen before, with Ancelotti seemingly taking Los Blancos to a different level this season. The football is much more fluid, and the upgrade in technical ability of Real Madrid’s destroying number 6 from Casemiro to Tchouaméni is a huge factor in that.
Madridistas have a fantastic player on their hands, more than capable of replicating those world-class performances from Casemiro.