Real Madrid icon Claude Makelele gives verdict on Aurelien Tchouameni renewal

While big names like Luis Figo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo Nazario took most of the spotlight during the first galactico era, it was the rather lower-profile midfielder Claude Makelele who arguably had the biggest influence on the Real Madrid team’s fortunes early in the 21st century.

The star-studded forward line certainly provided the fans with the spectacle, but it was the French midfielder who did the dirty work: breaking up opposition plays, intercepting dangerous passes, and covering a lot of ground when the team was exposed to attacks.

His importance really came to the fore with his departure, as the team lost its balance and went the next three years after his move to Chelsea without a trophy.

The Frenchman became a coach after ending his playing career. However, currently he is without a team, but remains one of the more respected voices in European football, especially as far as his former clubs, most notably Real Madrid and Chelsea, are concerned.

Today, his successor in the Merengue team seems to be none other than his compatriot Aurelien Tchouameni, who carries out most of the tasks that Makelele used to fulfill during his days as a player. Despite being linked with a move away this summer, he has reportedly renewed his contract with Real Madrid, and Makelele gave his blessing to this move by his former club.

As MARCA has reported, the former French midfielder spoke highly of the current French international, and opined on why he should never leave the team:

“I would never let that kind of player leave my team… [Last season] He was the only player who was consistent from start to finish.”

“Mourinho isn’t stupid. He’s a great coach, one of the best. He knows he’ll need a strong squad if he’s going to win La Liga.”

While supporting Tchouameni’s renewal, Makelele also highlighted the absence of another type of midfielder from the Real Madrid team as one of the reasons why they have struggled lately:

“Real Madrid don’t have that kind of midfielder who can carry the ball and break the lines. They need a player like that—someone who can move the ball quickly to the attackers, to him [Mbappe], to Vinícius, and to the players up front.”

Jose Mourinho is also reportedly asking Real Madrid for a midfielder, and it remains to be seen whom they would get this summer, after already having landed Bernardo Silva. Hopefully, they will heed Claude Makelele’s advice and sign a midfielder capable of consistently progressing the ball to the attacking players, and thus eliminating one of the clearest weaknesses of their team.