While the debate rages over Real Madrid’s defence, the name of Raúl Asensio emerges as a potential solution. Behind Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is playing as a central defender—a role that is not his natural position—the 21-year-old defender is making headlines. Who truly deserves a spot in the defence between these two names? The numbers are clear.
The 2024–2025 season for Real Madrid remains uncertain. Since the departure of stalwarts like Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernandez, coupled with the injuries of Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão—who are sidelined for the rest of the season—Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been inconsistent. While they shine against smaller teams or those with fewer big-name players, the Madrid side struggles seriously in major clashes. Whether against Liverpool, AC Milan, Athletic Bilbao, or Barcelona twice, the team has suffered humiliations. For months, Real Madrid’s defence has been under severe strain.
Although Antonio Rüdiger has been trying to minimise the damage since the start of the season, players like Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vázquez, and more recently Aurélien Tchouaméni (repositioned in defence by Carlo Ancelotti) have failed to inspire confidence. Speaking of Tchouaméni, a natural midfielder, recent performances have been particularly troubling. His disastrous outing against the Catalans in the Spanish Super Cup last Sunday in Saudi Arabia (5–2) has prompted many Madrid fans to call for his removal from the defensive line. Many believe that Raúl Asensio, who gained worldwide attention last November, deserves a regular spot, and critics are baffled by the Italian coach’s choices.
Real Madrid better with Asensio or Tchouaméni? The stats
Immediately following Real Madrid’s crushing defeat to FC Barcelona in the Superclásico held in Jeddah on Sunday, Be Soccer-Pro released telling statistics on Real Madrid’s defence. According to the data, with Raúl Asensio in central defence, Carlo Ancelotti’s team concedes one goal every 123 minutes. In 615 minutes played since his promotion to the first team, the team has conceded just five goals. In contrast, Aurélien Tchouaméni—still the Italian coach’s trusted option for defence—has far less flattering numbers.
Indeed, in 929 minutes played in central defence, the Frenchman and Real Madrid have conceded 15 goals, an average of one every 62 minutes. This is a worrying statistic for Florentino Pérez’s club. Lacking the instincts of a defender, Aurélien Tchouaméni displays a glaring defensive passivity that greatly benefits opposing attackers. During the 5–2 loss in the Super Cup Clasico against Barça, the defensive improvement after Asensio’s introduction was evident.
Even though the Catalan side was reduced to ten men and thus less dangerous, Lewandowski came up against the young defender, who gave him nothing. Ready for the duel, the Spanish defender is clearly leaving a positive impression.
What to expect from Ancelotti?
According to reports, some Madrid board members are puzzled by the coach’s decisions. Similarly, some senior players in the dressing room do not understand why Carlo Ancelotti does not rotate the squad to give young players a chance to shine, as is the case at Barça. For now, backed by Florentino Pérez, the Italian coach must correct his approach and experiment with new ideas.
Among the expected changes, Raúl Asensio should clearly be reinstated at the heart of the defence, while Tchouaméni should be relieved of a role that is not his own. Struggling even in midfield, the former AS Monaco player could benefit from a spell on the bench to recover and prepare for competition in his natural position. By persisting with a midfielder in defence, Ancelotti risks completely sinking Real Madrid, despite having the players needed to shine.
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