Fans of European football will have noticed two eyecatching results last weekend. Gerard Pique has declared Barcelona ‘back’ following their 4-0 humbling of Real Madrid in El Clasico. The other significant result occurred in Ligue 1, with AS Monaco playing PSG off the park in a 3-0 victory.
It is believed Les Monégasques will struggle to hold onto star midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni this summer. Spanish newspaper Marca has suggested Real Madrid are favourites to sign the Frenchman, but he would also be keen on a move to the ‘north of England’.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked Goal’s Neil Jones on the chances of seeing Tchouameni in a red shirt in the future.
Neil said:
“The story seems to have been lost in translation a little bit from Marca, saying that Liverpool are favourites to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni. They’re not. Marca aren’t saying that. Marca are saying that Real Madrid fear that he wants to go to the Premier League, and that he would be interested in moving to the north of England, which includes Man City, Manchester United and Liverpool. I think Manchester United are pretty hot for him, given their need for good players and a defensive midfielder.
Liverpool buying a defensive midfielder from Monaco?! I couldn’t see it! They’ve got one contracted for a good long while who is the main man, probably the best in his position in Fabinho, so it does feel a little bit like this would be one that would require a bit of a rejig of Liverpool’s system if he was to come. He’s a very good player. I know Real Madrid are particularly strongly linked with him.
There are a couple of stories that have come off the back of that Marca report, it’s a little bit overegged. I think Tchouaméni will move this summer. He’s at that age and level of ability now where he’s ready to make a move. I don’t see Liverpool being the star attraction for him. They’re not going to spend £60 million on someone who is going to be a backup to Fabinho.”
Redmen Reacts
Neil is right to point out that Liverpool already have potentially the best defensive midfielder in the world in their starting XI.
Tchouaméni would want to be a guaranteed starter in 40+ games a season, which is not something the Reds could definitely offer at this moment in time. There is another team in red an hour down the M62 that are crying out for a decent holding midfielder, so it would not be a surprise to see Tchouaméni lining up for them next season.
However, Liverpool’s midfield does need freshening up. James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago are all over 30, with Fabinho not too far behind. If Jurgen could work the France international into a more ‘solid’ midfield, (alongside Fab rather than acting as his deputy) then he looks a great signing.
The Reds would often go into big European games with a midfield of Milner, Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, which was good enough to take them to two consecutive Champions League finals. This suggests Klopp is not averse to a more ‘defensive’ setup in the middle of the park.
