L'Equipe: Deschamps appreciates Tchouameni's calmness, he's become France's midfield core

According to L'Équipe, Tchouameni has become a key figure in the French national team's midfield.

This season, Tchouameni has reached a new level at Real Madrid. Now, he hopes to bring this improvement to the French team. On June 17, 3 AM Beijing time (CEST), France will play their first World Cup match against Senegal in East Rutherford.

Even without participating in training, Tchouameni always stayed close to the team. On Friday in Waltham, the French team held their first training session open to the media and public. Out of caution, the French coaching staff allowed the vice-captain to rest. He sat on the bench, trying to stay in the shade, observing his teammates train with a calm gaze. He will be ready to play against Senegal. There is no doubt that he will also be one of the first players Deschamps writes into the starting lineup.

Over the past two years, Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni's importance has grown, and he has become a key player under all coaches. At the club, whether under Xavi Alonso, who coached in the first half of the season, or Arbeloa, who took over in mid-January, Tchouameni was one of Real Madrid's top three non-goalkeeper players in terms of playing time. Across all competitions, he played 3940 minutes, second only to Vinicius's 4248 minutes and Valverde's 4156 minutes.

Throughout the season, both Real Madrid coaches praised the French midfielder's importance to the team's balance and his ability to read the game at an overall level. Last year, during the Club World Cup, Xavi Alonso defined him as the team's "foundational pillar." Arbeloa, who succeeded him as Real Madrid coach, said: "Under me, Aurelien will no longer play as a center-back." Last season under Ancelotti, the former Monaco player had to fill in as a makeshift center-back in emergencies.

Normally, under Deschamps, Tchouameni, who is 26 years old, has 46 caps for France, and has scored 3 goals, will also not play as a center-back. Deschamps admires his role as the linchpin of the French midfield too much. Tchouameni's performance on the ball may not be as dazzling as Olise, Cherki, Mbappé, or Dembélé, but in the eyes of the French coach, his contribution is at least equally valuable.

Deschamps appreciates Tchouameni's composure, likes the way he readjusts the team's positioning, likes how he still pays attention to whether his midfield partners are providing cover when he pushes forward, and also values his ability to orchestrate the game, much like a deep-lying quarterback. Deschamps also believes that Tchouameni has improved in winning back possession. Overall, five years after his first call-up to the French national team, Tchouameni has become the midfield leader Deschamps envisioned for France.