Real Madrid’s defensive problems solved? Aurelien Tchouameni could be ‘one of the best centre-backs’ in the world, says manager Carlo Ancelotti

Although Lucas Vasquez's stoppage-time winner bailed out Los Blancos on Thursday evening against Alaves in Vitoria, Nacho Fernandez's red card early in the second half put them in a spot of bother.

Nacho's expulsion left Ancelotti with Antonio Rudiger as the sole available centre-back, which forced the manager to use Tchouameni at the heart of defence. Despite primarily playing as a midfielder, Tchouameni's impressive performance in Vitoria impressed Ancelotti and the manager backed him to temporarily fill the centre-back role until Nacho is available.

Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti said: "Tchouameni will get angry for this, but he’s amazing as a central defender. He is lucky he can play as a midfielder and as a defender. He has all the qualities to be one of the best centre-backs in the world. He plays very well, he takes the ball out from behind like very few others and tactically as well he is very good."

Ancelotti might use Tchouameni as a centre-back in the future as Madrid finds themselves without their first first-choice centre-backs Eder MIlitao and David Alaba. While Militao is expected to be back in action at the business end of the season, the Austrian defender might not be available until the beginning of the next campaign after he ruptured his ACL earlier in December.

Real Madrid have been linked with a shock move for Manchester United's Raphael Varane in the winter transfer window to fill their defensive gaps.

Real Madrid head into the winter break as the top team in La Liga and will resume action against Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 3rd, 2024.