Aurelien Tchouameni may not be fond of playing as a centre-back, but his contributions in this unexpected role have proven to be beneficial for Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti.
To put things in perspective, in his 15 appearances as a defender, Tchouameni has helped secure 11 victories and four draws, making him an integral part of the team’s defensive setup.
Remarkably, Real Madrid remain unbeaten when he plays as a centre-back, with the team maintaining a solid defensive record. Out of these 15 matches, they kept a clean sheet in seven, conceding just 16 goals, averaging 1.06 goals per match.
These impressive stats explain why Ancelotti has taken the time to praise Tchouameni for his commitment.
Despite being deployed in a position unfamiliar to him, the French midfielder has stepped up for the team when needed most and Ancelotti has acknowledged Tchouameni’s willingness to take on this role, which is a testament to his dedication.
A journey that began last season
Tchouameni’s journey as a makeshift centre-back began over a year ago when Real Madrid faced a defensive crisis.
With multiple defenders sidelined due to injuries, Ancelotti was forced to search for alternatives, and Tchouameni, originally a defensive midfielder, was quickly moved to the back line.
Aurelien Tchouameni has not lost a game for Real Madrid as a centre-back. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Dani Carvajal was another option, but it was Tchouameni who took the lead in this unfamiliar position. His debut came against Osasuna in last season’s La Liga campaign.
With key defenders like Eder Militão and David Alaba unavailable, and Nacho suspended, Tchouameni stepped in and helped secure a dominant win, even keeping a clean sheet.
It was a debut that could not have gone better, and Ancelotti found a new solution to his defensive problems.
This season, he is more of a CB
Heading into this season, Tchouameni had hoped for more stability, but Madrid’s failure to strengthen their defence in the transfer market left him once again facing a challenging situation.
Despite his preference to play in midfield, Tchouameni accepted his new defensive role with a sense of resignation, ready to do whatever was necessary for the team.
The situation became even more complicated with another injury to Militao, which saw Tchouameni once again partner with Antonio Rudiger in the heart of defence.
Even with the impressive rise of young talent like Raul Asencio, Tchouameni remains an essential figure in Real Madrid’s backline. His ability to adapt and deliver solid performances has made him an unexpected but vital asset to the team.