Real Madrid coaching staff see 26-year-old star as key figure who brings ‘order and stability’
· Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid had to contend with the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni in the initial weeks of the season, with the Frenchman suffering from an injury he picked up at the World Cup.
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However, importantly for Jose Mourinho, the 26-year-old has returned at a crucial juncture for Los Blancos, with the games coming thick and fast.
While Mourinho insists nobody in his squad is indispensable, the France midfielder appears to be about as close as it gets.
According to AS, Madrid’s coaching staff view Tchouameni as the player capable of bringing “order and stability” to the team.
He has the status of a key figure for major matches and is now strongly in contention to start against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Jose Mourinho could go with Tchouameni and Valverde as his preferred midfield pairing for big games. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Tchouameni makes impressive return
There had initially been considerable caution surrounding his comeback and the desire to avoid a relapse.
Before the Elche game, Mourinho said: “He will get more minutes at Elche, without a doubt. He is getting better, stronger and more confident. He will definitely play, but I wouldn’t say how much.”
Madrid had been considering giving him just over half an hour as they carefully increased his workload. Instead, Tchouameni started alongside Federico Valverde and played 86 minutes.
Despite lacking competitive rhythm, he completed 40 passes with 95.2 percent accuracy. Among Madrid’s midfielders and forwards, only Arda Guler recorded a higher passing percentage.
He also made four recoveries in a match where Madrid struggled badly after a promising opening period.
Mourinho sees his midfield anchor
Madrid have occasionally been too easy to play through between the lines. Tchouameni provides protection in exactly those areas, while giving the players around him a more stable platform.
The coaching staff reportedly see him as the tactical piece capable of connecting Madrid’s lines and preventing opponents from exploiting spaces through the middle.
Bernardo Silva is not an exact like-for-like profile for Tchouameni. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
That becomes especially important in big matches. Even if players like Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva can play in that role, they are not the same profile.
If Jose Mourinho was naming an XI tomorrow for a Champions League game against major European opposition, the Frenchman would likely be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Metropolitano could provide the next step
The immediate question is whether his body is ready for another demanding assignment.
Tchouameni will have four days to recover from his 86-minute outing before the Atletico derby, and his physical condition will ultimately determine Mourinho’s decision.
Should he be available to start, though, it is a no-brainer for Mourinho to start him alongside Federico Valverde.
Madrid have plenty of players capable of creating and deciding matches. What Mourinho also needs is someone who can provide the foundation for that to happen.
Tchouameni is increasingly being viewed as that player, and his return could not have been more timely for Los Blancos.