Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel insists Julian Weigl is not ready to play for Real Madrid after impressing in their 2-2 draw with the European Champions on Wednesday.
Weigl, 21, is developing into one of the most exciting central midfielders in Europe after impressing at Dortmund since joining the club from 1860 Munich in 2015.
The Germany international was heavily involved in Dortmund’s encounter with Madrid in midweek and Zinedine Zidane’s side have been linked with a move for the starlet in the past, although Tuchel was keen to pour cold water over those rumours after the match.
“I think Julian is not ready to play for Madrid yet,” The Daily Mail quote Tuchel as saying after the match. “He made some mistakes in the first half that he does not make usually. He struggled a bit before the break. That is why I think he needs to take another step in his development first [before considering a move to a club like Madrid].
“I am pleased that he showed courage after the break and improved. He did everything well in the second half and we got back into the game. He felt at ease and was not hiding.
“We should not forget that it is only his second year here. He need games like these to grow. It was a special match for Julian.”
Madrid could be forced to sign a player of Weigl’s calibre in the near future as they look to find a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Luka Modric.
Despite his age, Weigl is already taking on the responsibility of becoming the heartbeat of the team for Dortmund, which is shown by the fact he averages 77.5 passes per league game this season. Not only that, but only Javi Martinez (91.8%) and Andreas Christensen (91.2%) are completing their passes with greater success in the Bundesliga than Weigl thus far (91.1%).
For more stats on Julian Weigl, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
