Aurélien Tchouaméni rises in rank and inherits the captain’s armband in the French team

As Adrien Rabiot is not there either, “Aurel” also inherits the role of boss of the Blues midfielder against Israel, Thursday in Budapest in the League of Nations.

To renew leaders, “ relays were taken after the World Cup in Qatar », repeats the coach Didier Deschamps, who preferred “ for his experience » Tchouaméni as 132nd captain of the Blues to Jules Koundé, Mike Maignan or Ibrahima Konaté.

The Madrilenian with 36 caps (3 goals) established himself as a starter at the 2022 World Cup, he is part of the brigade which gained importance in the group after the departures of Hugo Lloris, Raphaël Varane and Steve Mandanda.

It sticks to the mentality of Deschamps, “ a coach with whom there have been quite a few very good results recently in the French team », Said Tchouaméni during the Euro.

“ I can understand that for some people who want to watch a great game, we may not be the team that plays the best. But we are the team that most often finds itself in the final four. For me, that’s what matters », he added, on the same wavelength as his trainer.

“Programmed for the very high level”

Also very comfortable in front of the press, an asset for a captain, Tchouaméni, who said he was “happy” with this honor, has several strings to his bow. He notably launched a media on YouTube, The Bridge, where he brings together champions and entrepreneurs.

In one of his broadcasts from February 2024, he mentioned one of the sources of his appetite: “ When you succeeded young, what are you going to do next? This is why you have to find a new challenge, a new motivation, otherwise you die. “.

One of his trainers at the Girondins, Paul Frey, told AFP before the World Cup that “ the guy was programmed to “kill”, to be at the very highest level », from the age of 17.

Having passed through Monaco (from January 2020 to June 2022) and now well established at Real Madrid, who has become a pillar of the Blues, Tchouaméni has followed an irresistible linear progression. This armband, it’s one more step for him », commented Deschamps

This athlete has also surrounded himself with a personal team of specialists, for his physical condition, his diet or his psychological form.

“ I work with my mental trainer every week to set up weekend goals, always trying to create a new dynamic », explains Tchouaméni, very meticulous on the off-field part.

“A logical continuation”

On the pitch in Budapest, where Israel plays during the war, the “Merengue” could find themselves in a sentry role, especially in the absence of Kanté, injured, and Rabiot, who has not yet played enough with the Marseille Olympic.

“ My role is to make the link between the attack and the defense “, he detailed during the Euro, “ to provide this defensive solidity, whether through impact in duels, through ball recoveries “.

It can also be “ project when the game requires it, to give the best possible balls to the attackers “, he emphasized.

On Thursday, he should find himself associated with Eduardo Camavinga, with whom he plays at Real, and Youssouf Fofana, with whom he formed a duo during his year and a half at AS Monaco.

The latter clearly sees Tchouaméni as a sentinel. “ He is very happy to be in this position », assured Fofana in Germany. He can “ less planning, that’s for sure, but it’s a position he likes, being the launching pad “.

“ “Aurel” is always eager to work and perform. For me, it’s a logical continuation that he plays at this level “, continued the midfielder who has since moved to AC Milan, ” and I would even say that he still has a lot of steps to take “.

Absent in September due to a minor injury, Tchouaméni will be able to redeem himself from his last selection, on July 9 in the semi-final of the Euro lost against Spain (2-1), where he was mystified by Dani Olmo on the second goal of “Roja”. Especially since this time he is wearing the armband.