Is Tchouameni a Casemiro? He could perform well there, but that would limit his qualities

Casemiro is already an established star and Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid's new signing, has the potential to be one, but he still has to prove it.

That said, let's analyse the two players, since many Real Madrid fans are wondering if the Frenchman has been signed to replace the Brazilian.

The great temptation is to compare Tchouameni to the Brazilian for two reasons: the youngster has played a lot in that position for Bordeaux, Monaco and France, and Real Madrid need a replacement in that position soon, as well as a backup for the short term.

But, all the experts MARCA has spoken to agree. To lock him in that role is to limit him, although he can do very well there.

"Where he has performed best is in the double pivot, although this season he has evolved a lot as a No.8 with the ball," one French football insider told MARCA.

"He has evolved by playing facing forward and filtering passes.

"That said, he still struggles when it comes to getting into shape and turning his back. In that, he needs to improve if he wants to play further forward.

"As a midfielder, he recovers and plays quickly. And then, he has a great shot."

In Spain, not many people know him well and only a few people have watched Monaco's games, not least because Ligue 1 is not available on TV in Spain.

"He is a modern midfielder, one of those players who opens up the debate as to whether they should be a holding midfielder or a No.8," is the analysis from one of those who have been following him.

"It's almost a shame to place a player like him as a defensive midfielder because that would limit his qualities, such as his ability to get forward and play more 'box to box'."

Tchouameni the ball winner

One thing is clear, which is that Tchouameni is a tremendous recovery player. In fact, in 2021 he was named the best in the world in this regard by Sofascore. In total, he managed 139 steals, 185 tackles and 450 recoveries. But, is he just that? No.

At Real Madrid, he will play a lot of time as a replacement for Casemiro, but he is not just a Casemiro, if you will allow that expression.

In time, as happened with Casemiro, Tchouameni will likely end up as a pure pivot, but the Brazilian, at the Frenchman's age of 22, was also more of a forward-thinking midfielder at Sao Paulo and Castilla and, only with the passage of time, has he become a pure holding midfielder.

The same process will probably happen to the Frenchman.

"In a few years' time, he will end up there, but now it would be a sin if he only played there, as it limits his creative ability," is another view from France, with Antoine Simonneau, a leading journalist of L'Equipe, concluding the analysis.

"For me, he's not a Casemiro. It's true that he can be a great pivot, because he steals and recovers a lot. He is very powerful, has an impressive physical display and wins almost all his duels.

"He anticipates and reads the game very well. He is the present in this position and the future, either as a pivot or contributing more offensively. His power allows him to break lines, create space and unbalance defences.

"But, for me, he is a hybrid between the best type of No.6 and the best type of No.8.

"In addition, as a person he is very hard-working, serious and committed. He is a great signing for Real Madrid."