Makelele Defends Tchouameni and Mbappe at Real Madrid

Claude Makelele believes Aurelien Tchouameni will be one of the most important players in Jose Mourinho’s squad, highlighting his central role in the manager’s vision. He praised Tchouameni’s consistency, saying he “was the only player who performed consistently from start to finish.” Makelele also noted Mourinho’s acumen, observing the manager knows a strong squad is needed to chase La Liga.

Tchouameni’s commitment was sealed when the club agreed to extend his contract until 2031, fending off interest from Manchester United. Makelele described the young midfielder as the type of player successful teams are built around, arguing there should be no discussion about his departure. The renewal positions Tchouameni as one of the longest‑tenured midfielders in the current Madrid squad.

Tchouameni’s Contract Renewal Praised

Speaking in a DAZN interview, Makelele backed Mourinho’s squad planning, saying “Mourinho isn’t a fool; he’s a good manager, one of the best managers.” He added, “He knows he’s going to need a strong squad to be able to win La Liga.” The endorsement underscores Tchouameni’s role as a stabilizing force in midfield.

Makelele also praised Mourinho’s vision, emphasizing that the manager’s experience makes him a crucial asset for Real Madrid’s title ambitions. He highlighted the importance of having a reliable midfielder who can maintain composure under pressure. This backing adds weight to Tchouameni’s renewed contract.

Mbappe Under Fire, but Makelele Defends Him

Makelele used the same interview to push back against the growing criticism of Kylian Mbappe, insisting the striker is being judged unfairly. “I don’t agree. A lot of people are criticising Mbappe. He plays for the team, but he’s a striker. A striker always wants to score,” he explained. The French icon argues that the real problem lies in the lack of a central midfielder who can carry the ball and unlock defenses.

He highlighted a tactical void at Real Madrid, stating there isn’t a midfielder who consistently advances the ball through the middle. “At Real Madrid, there isn’t that kind of central midfielder who carries the ball and breaks through the lines,” he noted. “We need a player like that, who can play quick balls to the forwards – to him, to Vinicius and to the players up front.” This gap, he suggested, forces Mbappe to drop deeper to collect play. When he is positioned up front, Makelele added, “When he’s up front, he’s scoring.” This perspective reframes Mbappe’s involvement as a symptom of midfield deficiencies rather than individual failings.

Overall, Makelele’s comments underscore the importance of midfield stability for Real Madrid’s ambitions under Mourinho, while also offering a defense of one of football’s most scrutinised forwards. His endorsement of Tchouameni reinforces the club’s strategic direction, and his call for a dynamic central midfielder could shape future recruitment. The messages from a legend who knows the Santiago Bernabeu well will likely resonate with fans and management alike.