The January Transfer Window is upon us which can only mean one thing; Manchester United being linked to several different midfielders and struggling to sign them. Recent suggestions have shown that the Red Devils are interested in signing a central midfielder, with names such as Ruben Neves, Amadou Haidara and Boubakar Kamara all being linked to the club. The most recent name to be mentioned is Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, who is slowly becoming one of Europe’s best young midfielders.
Why Aurelien Tchouameni is Perfect for Manchester United
Who Exactly is Aurelien Tchouameni?
Aurelien Tchouameni is a French midfielder who is mostly played as a defensive midfielder but can also perform at centre midfield. His development has quickly accelerated during his time at Monaco since his arrival in 2020. He has quickly become one of France’s biggest talents and has recently started appearing for the national team. His €18 million move from Bordeaux was a risky one for Les Monegasques, however, his progress has increased his market value to around €40 million, according to transfermarkt.com.
Tchouameni is known for his spectacular defensive attributes from midfield, something that Manchester United fans have been crying out for in recent years. The Rouen-native recently won the best ‘ball-winning’ midfielder in 2021, further highlighting his defensive attributes. As well as this, he was in the top ten players regarding ground duels and ball recoveries within Europe’s top five leagues.
The midfielder further appeared in the Ligue 1 Team Of The Season 2020/21 and was voted Best Young Player Of The Season 2020/21 following an exceptional campaign with Monaco. His international career is also decorated despite having only seven caps for France; Tchouameni was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in 2020/21. Despite being known mostly for his off the ball contributions, Tchouameni enjoys recuperating the ball and driving it forward rather than passing it immediately. His dribbling, strength and work rate allows him to drive up the pitch and create chances for his teammates. The midfielder currently has two goals in 28 games for Monaco and his sole goal in Ligue 1 came against his former club Bordeaux in a 3-0 win.
According to sources, multiple European clubs are looking to sign the midfielder, including United’s fierce rivals Liverpool.
What Will Tchouameni Bring to Manchester United?
Manchester United’s midfield has been a cause for concern in recent years. Paul Pogba’s frequent injuries has never really allowed him to secure a place in the team. Fred and Scott McTominay have been at the centre of criticism for seasons, due to their lack of cover for the back four. Nemanja Matic is getting older therefore he cannot play every game. United’s remaining options are Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard, who are more suitable for attacking roles.
Tchouameni solves multiple issues as he is a good defensive midfielder, but he can also carry the ball forward. His pass accuracy in Ligue 1 currently stands at 87 per cent. He could be a suitable replacement for Pogba, who could depart this summer following the end of his contract. The former-Bordeaux player would slot in perfectly alongside one of the aforementioned midfielders as they will have more freedom going forward.
He could further be the ‘key’ to unlocking van de Beek’s Manchester United career. The Dutchman joined United in 2020 but his lack of game time has frustrated fans and the player. His qualities are undeniable however the lack of cover for defenders was one of the main concerns following his arrival. Manchester United could play him alongside Tchouameni as the midfield would be more balanced.
The Red Devils have been linked again to Ruben Neves, who would slot in perfectly alongside Tchouameni. A midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves and Aurelien Tchouameni is the balance that all Manchester United fans have been calling for since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. Time will tell whether Manchester United will approach the Monaco midfielder, however, there is no doubt that this wonderkid is set for a big move in the coming years. Keep an eye on Tchouameni’s progress in 2022 as he could be one of the emerging stars from this calendar year.
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