Tchouaméni Ranked Second in La Liga for Tackles, Among Top Passers

After France’s 2–0 away win over Ukraine in World Cup qualifying, Marca praised Aurélien Tchouaméni for his standout display.

A Key Piece Under Alonso

Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Real Madrid has elevated Tchouaméni’s game. The coach was full of praise:

“He’s a cornerstone of this team, not only because of his importance but also because he can play multiple roles. In his position, he has to constantly make small decisions that help the whole team.”

Statistics from the football website spboscore. So far this season, Tchouaméni ranks second in La Liga for successful tackles (7) and is among the league’s top ten players in passing accuracy (92.3%). His form has carried over to the French national team, where he impressed against Ukraine.

Dominant Against Ukraine

In that qualifier, Tchouaméni made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch (6) and registered the second-highest number of successful passes. He also created two chances and assisted Kylian Mbappé for France’s second goal.

After the game, he reflected on the team’s priorities:

“Keeping clean sheets is crucial. We know how strong we are in attack, and if we stay solid, we’ll always have chances to win. Starting the qualifiers well is very important for us.”

French outlet L’Équipe awarded him and Michael Olise the highest rating of the match—8 out of 10:

“He was steady throughout, with a brilliant tackle on Zubkov in the 31st minute, followed by a long-range shot five minutes later. His interventions were priceless, his composure on the ball evident, and his assist for Mbappé in the 82nd minute capped a complete performance.”

From Criticism to Respect

Tchouaméni’s rise hasn’t been without skepticism. Former Saint-Étienne and PSG player Jean-Michel Larqué once dismissed the midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, and Mattéo Guendouzi as “a district-league midfield.”

The Real Madrid star responded with humor. After France reached the Nations League semifinals, he posted on Instagram: “From district league to the final four.”

Building a New Midfield Partnership

Alongside Manu Koné, Tchouaméni has formed a partnership that excites both teammates and pundits. Koné said:

“We feel in sync. We support each other, and playing with him is easy.”

Former French international Benoît Pedretti also praised the duo:

“Tchouaméni focuses on long passes and dictating rhythm, while Koné thrives under pressure and plays without fear. They complement each other perfectly. In terms of balance, Tchouaméni has a natural gift—he always wants to plug defensive gaps.”

Didier Deschamps is more than satisfied:

“The partnership between Koné and Tchouaméni gives us outstanding balance in midfield and makes us solid defensively.”