Carlo Ancelotti believes Aurelien Tchouameni could be 'one of the best centre-backs" in the world after stellar display against Alaves.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Real Madrid edged out Alaves 1-0Tchouameni was used as a makeshift centre backFrench international being viewed as stop-gap solution to fix defensive woesWHAT HAPPENED?

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.

AdvertisementWHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

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."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

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.