French midfielder Aurelién Tchouaméni joins La Liga side Real Madrid on a permanent deal. The move from Monaco cost Los Blancos €80 million ($84 million), plus €20 million ($21 million) add-ons for the 22-year-old. A six-year contract has been signed and the final medical test is slated to take place on Tuesday. 

Having missed out on Paris Saint-Germain and French forward, Kylian Mbappe, landing Tchouaméni is a saving grace. It also shows the Spanish side’s interest in utilizing French players to build out their squad. Madrid already has Karim Benzema as the striker and the 34-year-old had a prolific season as Carlo Ancelotti’s side won both the Spanish and Champions League trophies. 

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Tchouaméni, upon arrival, would get a chance to team up with fellow Frenchman Edouardo Camavinga, who expressed excitement about his arrival. Speaking to L’Equipe, the 19-year-old Camvinga had said “It’s fun, that’s for sure! He is a player I have already met in the France team.” 

The two could go on to become Madrid’s midfield future, with Tchouaméni already being touted as one of the most promising players in that position. Croatian pro, Luka Modric and German pillar Toni Kroos have thus far been the backbone of Madrid’s midfield, but the 36 and 32-year-olds would be bolstered by the fresh blood in the squad. 

Initially, Tchouaméni made a name as an attacking midfielder in Bordeaux’s youth teams but has since then played as a central midfielder in the 2018 Europa League. In Ligue 1, he oscillated between numbers 6 and 8 positionally, before starting out as a defensive midfielder. 

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The youngster has already seen plenty of tactical shuffling during his time on various teams. However, he plays as the spine of the club and excels in a midfield position. However, the player is likely to adapt to a centre-back or a box-to-box role as well. 

When Tchouaméni plays for Madrid, Ancelotti has to figure out where the player fits. He’s not like any of the current Madrid midfielders, which also include Federico Valverde and Casemiro, though the newest signing comes closest to the latter. 

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Ancelotti could either have him sitting deep, offering more physicality to the Madrid midfield, or have Tchouaméni roam forward freely, making more runs into the box as a number 8. With creative passing, solid interceptions, and steady possession, Madrid has landed a promising talent whose only job now is to live up to the hype and perform for one of the biggest clubs in European football.