Spanish Media: Due to Jurado’s Manchester United Move, Tchouaméni Remains a Backup Option at Center-Back for Real Madrid in the New Season

On July 18, according to Spanish outlet Relevo, because the main summer transfer target, Jurado, was snatched by Manchester United, Real Madrid will continue to use French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni as an important backup option at center-back in the new season. In extreme cases, they may even consider him as a starter.

The 24-year-old Tchouaméni is no stranger to playing center-back, having appeared in that position ten times for Real Madrid last season. Although the Frenchman believes his best position is in midfield, he has also indicated on various occasions that he is willing to contribute wherever the team needs him. Following the failed signing of Jurado, Real Madrid began to reassess its summer transfer strategy and the specific situation of its current squad. The club believes there are no suitable center-back options available in the current transfer market and has thus decided not to pursue any center-back signings this summer.

This means Tchouaméni is very likely to feature more regularly as a center-back in the upcoming season, rather than being an emergency backup. This shift in thinking will alleviate the overcrowding issue in Real Madrid’s midfield, allowing Camavinga to appear more frequently in the defensive midfield role. Beyond the established starters Bellingham and Valverde, Ceballos and Gullit can expect more playing time, despite Tchouaméni’s primary position remaining in midfield. The change in his role’s weight could make Ancelotti’s team selection process less complicated.

Until Alaba returns from injury (expected in October), Tchouaméni will form a regular center-back trio with Rüdiger and Militão. Both Ancelotti and the player himself are adapting to this change. The club aims to avoid panic buys, much like not signing a new striker after Benzema’s departure or not signing a center-back when Militão and Alaba were injured, believing that internal solutions can address players’ playing time issues.

Relevo also believes that Tchouaméni’s mindset is key to the success of this approach, but expects little resistance. As Tchouaméni said last season, “You know what position I prefer, but if I can help the team, I don’t mind the position. I prefer midfield, but if I have to play at the back, I’ll give it my all, because the team comes first. Playing center-back is a different feeling and set of demands, but what matters is continuous learning.”