The first warning from Tchouameni

Day one after Casemiro's departure was a testing moment for Real Madrid. Clearly there is no solid basis for knowing what Carlo Ancelotti's team will be like without the legendary midfielder, but the early signs at Balaidos were very positive.

Of all the Madrid players who started, the spotlight was particularly focused on Aurelien Tchouameni, occupying Casemiro's position.

While he looked timid on his debut against Almeria, at Celta Vigo he looked like an established 80m euro player.

The data comparison from those two games reaffirms the growth of a player who gives the sensation that he can cover ground like few others can. Tchouameni had more touches of the ball (68 to 47), although his accuracy reduced (89.7 percent from 95.74 percent), but against Celta he was braver, he was less self-conscious and his team was more comfortable around him. He has made a total of 13 ball recoveries, nine of them in Vigo.

The Frenchman faces the daunting task of ensuring Madrid maintain the strength of their midfield without one of the three players who have marked an era under the CMK acronym. Much of his success may depend on him being the dazzling player that led Didier Deschamps to opening him the doors to the French national team.

By being himself and escaping the comparisons that will accompany him in the coming months, he could become a generational player. Against Celta, he gave the first sign that he has understood what Ancelotti wants from him.