Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni was slammed for his Champions League display last night, after claims Liverpool wanted to sign him.
Having rejected Liverpool this summer, he subsequently joined Madrid for around £68m. Tchouameni has so far done well for Real, but last night was his first ever appearance in the Champions League proper.
According to Marca, it didn’t go to plan. The European Champions ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Celtic in Glasgow. But despite the ease at which they won, the French midfielder was labelled as being ‘invisible’ in midfield.
Tchouameni was also described as being ‘sluggish,’ before eventually being replaced with 20 minutes to go.
Tchouameni fails to shine on Champions League debut
Tchouameni may no longer be relevant to Liverpool’s transfer plans, but this is interesting all the same.
Many fans see The Reds failure to add a top midfielder this summer as having the potential to derail the season. But as has been reported, Liverpool really did try to sign one.
That player was reportedly Tchouameni. Had Liverpool been able to sign the 22-year-old, the summer window would have been seen as an unmitigated success.
But as Marca’s review shows, even these players aren’t immune to poor games. Tchouameni is a work-in-progress and would have needed time to settle at Liverpool too.
That player was reportedly Tchouameni. Had Liverpool been able to sign the 22-year-old, the summer window would have been seen as an unmitigated success.
But as Marca’s review shows, even these players aren’t immune to poor games. Tchouameni is a work-in-progress and would have needed time to settle at Liverpool too.
Liverpool wanted to sign him
Of course, it’s only one game. No conclusions should be drawn, especially as his team still ran out easy winners.
Nevertheless, it should be a riposte to those constantly hungry for big signings to come through the door. No transfer is a guarantee of success.
Tchouameni looks like a super player and will surely go on to achieve great things at Madrid and with France.
But was he the answer to Liverpool’s immediate need for more depth in midfield? On this admittedly very tiny evidence, perhaps not.
