Aurélien Tchouaméni, sentenced, Maldini makes it clear: 'It's what Madrid is looking for'

Aurélien Tchouaméni has become the beacon around which all of Real Madrid's play is organized since Xabi Alonso's arrival. His physical prowess, technical quality, and tactical intelligence have allowed him to be completely untouchable at the start of this season. For many Madridists, the Frenchman is a structural piece of the team and an essential talent both in defense and attack.

Tchouaméni's impact is unquestionable. He provides balance, facilitates ball distribution, and corrects critical situations with an ease that very few players possess. His growth at Bernabéu has been exponential, and the general feeling is that he still hasn't reached his ceiling.

However, not everyone sees him as irreplaceable. For Maldini, one of the most respected voices in the world of soccer for his precise analyses, there are profiles that fit much better than the Frenchman in Bernabéu's midfield. He believes that, despite his quality, Aurélien Tchouaméni doesn't stand out for his associative ability, a characteristic that Real Madrid absolutely needs in their midfield.

Maldini points to the executioner of Aurélien Tchouaméni

Maldini isn't surprised that Real Madrid is looking to strengthen the midfield area for 2026. Florentino Pérez wants to bring in a modern midfielder, capable of directing, breaking lines, and appearing in finishing areas. Meanwhile, according to the renowned analyst, there's a star who stands out above the rest and fits perfectly into that desired profile.

That player is Enzo Fernández, and Maldini has explained it in detail: "Enzo can play as a pivot, he has good distribution. It's what Madrid is looking for in this more modern soccer of box-to-box players". His analysis didn't stop there, as he was even more forceful in his direct comparison with Tchouaméni.

"I think Enzo Fernández is much better than Aurélien Tchouaméni, for me, by far. He's a player who can shoot from mid-range, who can get forward, who can play higher up". With these words, Maldini makes it clear that he sees the Argentine as a complete midfielder with more offensive options than the Frenchman, attributes that could be key for Xabi Alonso.

Enzo Fernández ahead of Aurélien Tchouaméni

If Enzo Fernández's signing ends up happening, Aurélien Tchouaméni's role could be altered. It wouldn't necessarily mean that he would stop being important, but it would mean that he would face real competition for the position he currently dominates without opposition. Xabi Alonso could choose to move the Argentine forward or drop him back depending on the team's structure, forcing the Frenchman to raise his level even further.

What is clear is that Real Madrid wants to keep evolving its midfield. If Maldini is right, Enzo Fernández could become the signing that marks the transition toward a more creative, versatile, and vertical midfield. Tchouaméni remains untouchable today, but his future may cease to be so if Florentino Pérez listens to the recommendations of one of the most influential analysts in the soccer world.