EXCL: World Cup winner worried about Real Madrid set-up – 'The biggest problem is not Kylian Mbappe'
This interview was conducted exclusively by Football España in partnership with Genting Casino.
Naturally, with Real Madrid failing to hit the heights many had predicted for them, fresh off the back of a Champions League win and the signing of one of the world's best forwards, many of the first critics looked towards the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. . That said, the loss of Toni Kroos has been well documented as one of the big problems to solve for Carlo Ancelotti this season, and World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit is worried about being able to solve it.
Few are better qualified to opine on the role of the holding midfielder, and Ancelotti has tried a variety of combinations in recent months, with Fede Valverde deeper, and often paired with Aurelien Tchouameni. One of Tchouameni or Edward Camavinga is tasked with filling some of the void left by Kroos, and Petit has his doubts if they can.
“First of all, I have great respect for them, because they arrived as young players in one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's a lot of pressure. On top of that, you play with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Those guys they run the midfield for years, and they show so much quality,” Petit told Football España.
“The second thing is, thinking about Aurelien Tchouameni … He has been at the club three or four years now, Camavinga almost the same … Have they improved? I am not so convinced. To be honest with you, I am more worried about Tchouameni, because I don't think he is a proper midfielder. And then Camavinga, he played in different positions. But you know, take responsibility for Kroos and Modric.
While Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are still flourishing, Petit has little doubt they will have their game together.
“The biggest problem for Real Madrid is not the adaptation of Kylian Mbappe and his new teammates, the links between them, the understanding, the fluidity, they have to improve, don't worry about it.”
“They are huge players, they have to score goals and give assists, also the ego, they have to work together, for the moment that is not the case, I saw the argument between Bellingham and Vinicius, you know they have a big ego. . But for me the biggest problem with Real Madrid is not up front, it's in the midfield.
Ancelotti has shown almost unwavering faith in Tchouameni so far in his Real Madrid career, and clearly believes he is the best answer they have. Yet there is no doubt that Tchouameni has failed to perform as many hoped this season. Valverde, Camavinga and Tchouameni all have their own impressive skills, but none can replicate that of Kroos, who was so crucial to their success over the last three seasons.
