Having turned down a move to Real Madrid himself as a youngster, former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes that Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga should move to Santiago Bernabeu right away if he feels that he can handle the glare of the spotlight in the Spanish capital.
"When I left Ajax, people said to me it was too early and that I should stay in Holland," Melchiot, who played for Rennes during the 2006-07 season, told Goal. "Let me tell you something, as a player just do what’s right for you and not listen to what people tell you.
"If you feel like it isn’t the right move, then stay where you are. I think you should always consider your development. The team you go to should make you better and you should make the team better.
"If those two things don’t add up, then don’t go. That’s the only answer I have for him.
"He is very young but I have watched him a few times and I like him as a player. He is gifted, he sees things, he is comfortable on the ball and dribbles in the middle of the park very well.
"The technical level in Ligue 1 is very high and Rennes is obviously a good place for him right now. He is protected.
"But I don’t know if Rennes can keep hold of him beyond next season. I think he has a lot of fire in him and I expect him to keep progressing. And I think there will soon come a time when he is offered the chance to go to another level.
"I had the chance to go to Real Madrid when I was 19 but I chose my family over Madrid because they needed me at that time. I took a gamble because Chelsea might not have come two years later.
"I went all the way to Madrid and saw the team train and everything. They spoke to me, the deal was done and I only needed to sign. My feeling, though, was that I have to do what's right for me.
"But if Real Madrid feels right to Camavinga, he shouldn't listen to what the critics are saying. Every move in football is a risk, but it is about knowing what you can achieve. If he thinks he can achieve great things at Madrid now, he should go for it."
Melchiot's solitary season at Rennes ended in heartbreak as the Brittany outfit agonisingly missed out on a Champions League place by finishing fourth in Ligue 1, just one point behind Toulouse.
"We drew the last game of the season [against Lille] when we should have won," Melchiot lamented. "It was a massive disappointment for us. We wanted to get there so badly.
"We got to the UEFA Cup but the Champions League was what we wanted. I left the club after that, but it was a great journey at Rennes. I learned a lot from that club and city."
Source: m.allfootballapp.com