The break, however, gives him the opportunity to recover and rejuvenate with more concentration and the player is working hard to be available for Xabi Alonso as soon as possible.
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Since yesterday, the player returned to training with the ball and it is clear that his return from injury is not far away, which represents a great boost for Alonso.
Tchouameni reflects on his time at Real Madrid
The Frenchman spoke to L’Equipe in a recent interview where he talked about how winning titles at Real Madrid has only made him hungry for more instead of giving him satisfaction.
“Although I already won everything early with Real Madrid, I am very hungry and I want to win more leagues and Champions Leagues.”
He also reflected on the widespread opinions and criticism people have of him, especially because he does not offer a creative presence in midfield.
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“People’s opinion? When Real Madrid signed me it was to play like Tchouaméni, not to be a creative player as well as a defensive midfielder.”
“On the team, everyone knows their role and does their part to make it successful. If you start changing your game based on other people’s opinions, you lose yourself.” he added, speaking maturely.
He then talked about how vital it was for each player to do what they were asked to do for the team to be successful.
“In the end, what matters is where you played, how long you played there and how many titles you won.”
The defensive midfielder also revealed the advice that Xabi Alonso has given him this season and how it has helped him grow as a player.
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“Xabi Alonso’s advice? From day 1, we had a video meeting. He showed me images focused on positioning, what I can improve and what I can build.”
“Positioning, playing with and without the ball. I feel like I’ve improved in certain areas.” he added.
About the boos at the Santiago Bernabéu
Aurelien Tchouameni faced criticism from home fans last season. (Photo by Ángel Martínez/Getty Images)
Last season, Tchouameni’s lowest point of the season came when he was playing as a centre-back for Real Madrid and, after some disappointing games, he was booed at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“Bernabéu booing me? First of all, we have to remember that in the Clásico I played as a center back, not in my usual position. When I left the field I knew I hadn’t played well.” -he began.
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“Very quickly I got the impression that they considered me one of the culprits.” he added.
Revealing how he felt ahead of the next match, which would be against Celta Vigo, Tchouameni said:
“The day before the game against Celta I said to myself: ‘We’ll see what happens tomorrow at the Bernabéu.’”
“During the warm-up nothing happened. The game started and I played in the center of the field. I was quite confident because that is my position.
““We got the ball out, I got the ball and the boos started.” he added.
The Frenchman then recalled how he was surprised to see that the taunts were directed at him and how he finally reached an agreement.
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“You couldn’t see it on TV, but in my head I thought, ‘Is that for me?’ Then Lucas Vázquez got booed too. I thought, ‘Okay, it’s Lucas and me.'”
Despite being booed in his own stadium, Tchouameni handled the situation with grace and maturity and revealed the decision he was forced to make at that moment on the pitch.
“I got the ball three or four times and they booed me every time. At that point, there are two options: either you get in a bad mood or you play your game and as you do good things, the boos will go away.”
“I had a great game that day” he remembered.
Ultimately, Tchouameni boldly called that moment a turning point in his career.
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“Looking back, I am sure that the Bernabéu boo was an important moment in my career that allowed me to take a step forward.”
About your preferred position
Tchouameni explained his preferred playing position. (Photo by Ángel Martínez/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old also spoke about whether he feels more comfortable playing as a single or double center.
“I like to have the game in front of me. When I’m in the No. 6 spot, it allows me to be well positioned to receive passes.”
“The advantage of the double pivot is that you have the opportunity to advance a little further.
“But if I had to choose, I would say play as number 6 because it really depends on you.” he added.
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Explaining the challenges and opportunities that come with playing as a double pivot, the player said:
“As a double pivot, you have to adapt to the midfield you are associated with. If we get in each other’s way, it becomes complicated. If we advance together, there is a counterattack.”
The player revealed an important piece of advice that Carlo Ancelotti gave him about how to play in the position.
“Coach Ancelotti once told me that a defensive midfielder must play within the width defined by the two lines of the penalty area, without going over them.”
“So sometimes you have to compensate and get out of that area a little bit, but it says that #6 should stay central,” he said.and added.
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On how the partner and his skills are crucial to the success of a double pivot, Tchouameni said:
“In a double pivot, we share each half of the field. Complementarity is important.”
“I have been lucky to play with great players with whom I got along well in the double pivot: Fofana at Monaco, Manu Koné, Cama, Toni Kroos.” he added.
“Depending on who you play, you can get away with certain things. Others, not so much. Team balance is the priority.” he concluded.
Finally, he revealed some lighter talks that happen behind the scenes in the locker room about national teams.
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“Do we talk about NT in the Real Madrid locker room? We were talking about it recently and the boys told me: ‘Your team is crazy!'”
“The guys who play in Spain, England, Germany… they all say: ‘Your team, on paper, has impressive talent,'” he added jovially.