AS: Mourinho sees Tchouameni as key to long-term team order and control

According to AS, Real Madrid's coaching staff believes that Tchouameni is a key factor in bringing greater order and stability to the team. In the Elche match, despite the slow pace of play, he was still the most accurate passer in the entire midfield.

It is reported that although Mourinho often says no one is "indispensable," the reality is more nuanced. Tchouameni is precisely that kind of player. Perhaps the more accurate terms are "crucial" or "essential," but the essence is clear.

The coaching staff views him as the missing puzzle piece that makes the team more orderly and stable. This team has chronic vulnerabilities, particularly cracks in the midfield lines, and he is the cornerstone needed to address that weakness. The overall plan remains unchanged: the fixture congestion demands significant rotation.

However, on important nights, Tchouameni is the midfield lynchpin. Recent weeks have brought constant speculation, which has become routine this season. Reports from Valdebebas indicate that Real Madrid's original plan was for Tchouameni to play more than half an hour.

Given his excellent form, but with no desire to risk a setback, Real Madrid took a cautious approach. On Tuesday night against Elche, Tchouameni started directly in midfield alongside Valverde and played 86 minutes, officially announcing his return.

He had been free of thigh discomfort for some time, and the previous caution was mainly aimed at gradually building up his game time. Ultimately, he returned directly to the midfield and delivered an encouraging performance.

Although he has not yet reached peak competitive form, the statistics are telling: he completed the third-most passes in the entire team with 40, behind only centre-backs Hüjsün and Konate, who naturally accumulate higher pass counts playing out from the back.

His pass accuracy reached 95.2%, second only to Güler's 96.2%—this figure includes midfielders and forwards. Tchouameni played virtually the entire match until Mourinho made an all-out attacking push for victory, at which point he was substituted.

Mourinho has long viewed Tchouameni as someone who can impose order and control on the team, a defensive barrier that can neutralize threats when opponents receive the ball between the lines. As things stand, he is very likely to feature in the Madrid derby, with a high probability of starting at the Metropolitano.

The final decision will depend on his physical condition. After playing 86 minutes, he has four days of rest and feels good, with continued improvement expected. First the French national team, then he will become the cornerstone of Real Madrid—the player who connects all the lines, the tactical adhesive.

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