Eduardo Camavinga shows he can replace Aurelién Tchouaméni in Real Madrid’s midfield

Eduardo Camavinga prefers to play in midfield and has never been shy of saying how he feels. And with the chance to do so in Real Madrid’s 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano, he did not allow the opportunity to pass by.

“I think everyone knows it”, he said during the last international break, “it’s no secret that I don’t like [left-back]. I spoke to Ancelotti, but the team is the most important thing.” The change in role between pivot or inside midfielder is something that is less important, but in Real Madrid’s frustration-filled 0-0 draw with their cross-city rivals at the Santiago Bernabéu, Camavinga was a shining light from the base of the midfield, an opportunity that came about due to Tchouaméni’s injury.

Camavinga impressed in midfield against Rayo Vallecano

The ex-Rennes man passed the exam with flying colours and in a different way to how his compatriot goes about life in the middle lane: he was more dynamic, less restrained and the typical ‘octopus’ when it came to recovering the ball.

Camavinga gets the midfield rolling and always looks ahead for a vertical pass or the opposition area directly, be it with a through ball or a happy gallop through the middle of the pitch with the ball at his feet. Despite having a role as midfield general, he was 5th highest when it came to number of passes in the final third (15). Defensively, only Bellingham (10), who suffered an injury scare in the first half, made more recoveries than Camavinga (9).

A silver medal is stealing the ball back and a gold in successful tackles, Eduardo is beginning to control how things go in games and avoid being prematurely taken off by the boss. He managed his way against Rayo on a booking and it was only a bloody smash to the eye from Falcao that caused him to be taken off for Nacho in the 84th minute.

The differences between Tchouaméni and Camavinga

“I like Camavinga a lot as a pivot” said Ancelotti after the game against Braga, another excellent performance that saw the Frenchman get 9 interceptions, 13 duels won and 7 recoveries. Camavinga is a superb alternative to Tchouaméni, and prefers to play short, sharp passes that break lines less. Adding the Madrid derby and the game against Osasuna, Camavinga has played 4 games as Real Madrid’s pivot so far this season and has grown in each appearance at the base of midfield, both in terms of confidence and numbers.

Over 90 minutes, Camavinga (7.5) recovers the ball more than Tchouaméni (4.2), has more accurate passes (64 vs 62) and wins more individual battles (8 vs 5), while the ex-Monaco midfielder is more precise in long passes (90% vs 93%), is a more efficient in duels (73% vs 53%) and is more secure with the ball at his feet (6.8 losses for Tchouaméni vs 9.9 for Camavinga). In terms of interceptions, they are quite similar: Tchouaméni has 1.4 while Camavinga sits at 1.2.

They are numbers that reflect the difference of styles between both players, something that Ancelotti can utilise. One player is more lively, energetic and decisive; the other is more controlled, efficient and balanced.

Who will replace Tchouaméni in Real Madrid’s midfield?

Last season, it was Toni Kroos who was selected by Carlo to replace Tchouaméni when the Frenchman was unavailable, something that became more necessary after his post-World Cup drop in form. This season until a fracture to the second metatarsal in his left foot, Aurelién has been a nailed-on starter in the side. Now, instead of Kroos, it looks like Camavinga can be the replacement, and everything points to the differences in style being something that can be seen as a positive.

Until the number 18 is back in action (probably some time in early December), the ex-Rennes midfielder has plenty of games ahead in both LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League in which he can show his value in midfield once again.

Real Madrid’s next game is against Braga in the UEFA Champions League at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The game is on on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.