1. Overview
Aurélien Tchouaméni (full name: Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni), born on 27 January 2000, is a French professional footballer. He primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a centre-back. Tchouaméni is currently a key player for La Liga club Real Madrid and the France national team, and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. His playing style is characterized by strong defensive attributes, high work rate, and effective long-range passing.
2. Early Life and Background
Aurélien Tchouaméni's early life was marked by a supportive family environment and a natural progression into football, beginning at an amateur level and quickly advancing through professional youth systems.
2.1. Childhood and Early Football
Tchouaméni was born in Rouen, Normandy, France, on 27 January 2000. He spent his early childhood in various parts of France due to his father's work as a pharmacist and pharmaceutical company manager, moving to Dijon at age one and then to Bordeaux, Gironde, in 2005, where he grew up. He is of Cameroonian descent; his father was born in Nsamba and his mother in Bafang. Tchouaméni acquired French nationality on 19 December 2000, through the collective effect of his parents' naturalization.
His football journey began at the age of five, inspired by his father playing for his company's football club. He started his career at SJ Artigues, a local amateur club in Bordeaux, initially playing as a forward. Despite receiving offers from several professional clubs, his father wanted him to enjoy football until he was 12. Consequently, Tchouaméni joined the youth team of FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 2011.
3. Playing Style
Aurélien Tchouaméni is renowned for his robust and comprehensive playing style, particularly as a defensive midfielder. His most prominent attributes include exceptional tackling and cutting abilities. He consistently ranks among the top players in his league for successful tackles per game, demonstrating a dominant defensive presence in the midfield.
His work rate is notably high, complemented by significant stamina, allowing him to cover extensive ground throughout a match. Tchouaméni's physical prowess is a major asset, enabling him to gain an advantage in duels, especially in aerial contests. He frequently scores header goals from set-piece situations.
Beyond his defensive contributions, Tchouaméni excels in transitioning play from defense to attack. His ability to launch counter-attacks after winning possession is a key strength. He exhibits remarkable composure and excellent head-up play for a young player, often attempting long, deep passes from the backline to quickly advance the ball. A significant portion of his professional career assists have come from these long passes, whether initiating counter-attacks or facilitating slow build-up play.
He is often compared to his club teammates Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, sharing similarities in their dynamic midfield roles, but Tchouaméni is considered more defensively oriented. In an era where traditional holding midfielders are becoming less common, he is often seen as having a style most akin to that of former Real Madrid player Casemiro, although Tchouaméni tends to operate in a slightly higher area of the pitch and possesses superior attacking talent.
4. Club Career
Aurélien Tchouaméni's club career saw him develop through the youth ranks of FC Girondins de Bordeaux before making significant strides at AS Monaco FC and eventually securing a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
4.1. Youth Career
After joining the Bordeaux youth team in 2011, Tchouaméni was initially trained as a striker. However, his position shifted to an attacking midfielder at the U-14 level. His definitive transition to his current defensive midfielder role occurred while he was part of the U-18 youth team. Recognizing his potential, Bordeaux offered him his first professional contract on 10 November 2017, at the age of 17. In 2018, he completed his high school education, fully committing to a professional football career.
4.2. Bordeaux
Tchouaméni made his senior debut for Bordeaux in the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. This came on 26 July 2018, in a 1-0 away victory against Latvian side FK Ventspils, where he started and played for 89 minutes. He scored his first senior club goal on 9 August 2018, in another Europa League qualifying match, netting the final goal in Bordeaux's 3-1 away win over Mariupol. During his two seasons with Bordeaux, he played a total of 40 matches, establishing himself smoothly in Ligue 1. His single goal for the club was the aforementioned Europa League winner. He was also a teammate of South Korean forward Hwang Ui-jo during the 2019-20 season, which helped increase his recognition among fans.
4.3. Monaco
On 29 January 2020, Aurélien Tchouaméni transferred to Ligue 1 club Monaco, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. His debut for Monaco came on 1 February against Nîmes Olympique, a match they lost 0-3. Following a coaching change to Robert Moreno during the winter break, Tchouaméni initially saw a reduction in playing time.
However, in the 2020-21 season, his first full season with Monaco, Tchouaméni became a crucial figure in the midfield, forming a strong partnership with Youssouf Fofana. He scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Monaco on 23 January 2021, in a 3-1 victory against Olympique de Marseille. His impressive performances earned him the fan-selected Player of the Month award in February. Despite his significant contributions, Monaco finished as runner-up in the 2020-21 Coupe de France after a 0-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, denying him his first career trophy. At the end of the season, Tchouaméni was recognized with both the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and a spot in the Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year, a feat achieved only by Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappé in Ligue 1 history at that time.
His strong form continued into the 2021-22 season. He was a primary target for clubs seeking a defensive midfielder, with Chelsea reportedly monitoring him as a strong alternative to Declan Rice. Tchouaméni demonstrated superior performance compared to other targets like Julian Weigl due to his younger age and higher level of play in a top league. He led the UEFA Europa League in interceptions and maintained a high rating in Ligue 1 among players in his position. Notable performances included a goal against Bordeaux on matchday 9, a stellar display against PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League, and a Man of the Match performance against Angers SCO on matchday 16, where he was central to the team's build-up play. He continued to impress against FC Nantes and Clermont Foot 63, recording outstanding statistics in dribbling, tackling, and duels. While he assisted a goal against Montpellier HSC, Monaco lost late in the game. In the Coupe de France Round of 16 against RC Lens, his through pass led to a goal, securing Monaco's progression to the quarter-finals. Despite strong performances, including a goal in the quarter-final against Amiens SC, he missed a penalty in the semi-final shootout against FC Nantes, leading to Monaco's elimination. He delivered a strong performance in a victory against PSG on matchday 29 and scored two goals as a defensive midfielder in a win against Lille OSC on matchday 36. He also recorded an assist in a 4-2 victory against Brest on matchday 37, concluding a successful season by being named in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 Team of the Year. However, he received a red card against Bordeaux on matchday 25 for a reckless foul, which impacted his team's performance.
4.4. Real Madrid
Tchouaméni's exceptional performances at Monaco attracted the attention of Europe's biggest clubs, leading to a highly anticipated transfer.
4.4.1. Transfer Saga to Real Madrid
During the 2021-22 season, Tchouaméni was continuously linked with top European clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool. While Chelsea initially prioritized Declan Rice, Tchouaméni was considered their next most likely target, with several other Premier League clubs also showing interest. As April 2022 progressed, Real Madrid emerged as the strongest contender, with Liverpool also reportedly making serious efforts to sign him. Monaco's asking price was initially reported to be at least 70.00 M EUR, later increasing to 80.00 M EUR.
Despite reports of Paris Saint-Germain attempting to hijack the transfer with a more lucrative offer, Tchouaméni publicly stated he had no intention of joining PSG, firmly preferring Real Madrid. His desire to play for the Spanish giants, along with the influence of his French national teammate and Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, played a significant role in his decision. Real Madrid's chief scout, Juni Calafat, was instrumental in securing the deal. Negotiations between Monaco and Real Madrid progressed smoothly, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the transfer with his "Here we go!" announcement on 7 June 2022. The Athletic's David Ornstein also reported exclusively that Real Madrid would sign Tchouaméni for over 100.00 M EUR including add-ons.
4.4.2. Debut and Early Performances
On 11 June 2022, Real Madrid officially announced the signing of Aurélien Tchouaméni. The transfer fee was 80.00 M EUR, potentially rising to 100.00 M EUR with bonuses, making him the fourth most expensive signing in Real Madrid's history at the time. He signed a six-year contract until 2028. He joined Real Madrid training on 14 July 2022, with coaching staff reportedly impressed by his initial sessions. He was assigned the number 18 jersey, previously worn by Gareth Bale.
Tchouaméni made his unofficial debut in a pre-season match against Barcelona during the US tour, starting in midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, though his performance was not particularly eye-catching. He showed improvement as a substitute in the subsequent match against Juventus, displaying good ball control, build-up play, and defensive strengths, hinting at his potential as a future key midfielder for Real Madrid.
His official competitive debut came on 10 August 2022, when he entered as a late substitute in Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup, marking his first career club trophy. His La Liga debut, an away game against UD Almería, saw a less impactful performance, with manager Carlo Ancelotti noting he didn't show his training form. He was substituted in the 58th minute, though Real Madrid still secured a 2-1 comeback win.
The unexpected transfer of Casemiro to Manchester United suddenly placed greater importance on Tchouaméni's performance, as he became Real Madrid's primary defensive midfielder. In his second La Liga match against Celta Vigo, Tchouaméni started and played the full 90 minutes, flawlessly filling Casemiro's role. He contributed to the first goal by winning an aerial duel. His statistics, including a 90% pass completion rate, 3 chances created, 3/3 successful dribbles, 1/2 successful tackles, 1 interception, 4 clearances, 3 ball recoveries, and 5/7 successful ground duels, earned him a potential Man of the Match performance. While he showed some immaturity in losing possession after interceptions, it was an overall outstanding display.
He continued his strong form in the third La Liga match away to RCD Espanyol, assisting Vinícius Júnior's opening goal, his first goal contribution for Real Madrid. He maintained a 95% pass completion rate, 2 key passes, 6 ball recoveries, and 5/6 successful aerial duels, showcasing excellent midfield control. While not replicating Casemiro's exact defensive dominance, Tchouaméni demonstrated a different set of strengths, particularly his passing range influencing team build-up. Unlike Casemiro, who largely stayed back, Tchouaméni frequently carried the ball forward with dribbles, contributing more to offensive transitions and maintaining a high pass completion rate.
His La Liga debut at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Betis saw him dominate the midfield, completing 89% of his passes, making 3 interceptions, 1 clearance, 8 ball recoveries, and 1 successful dribble, earning him the Man of the Match award in a 2-1 victory. He won all 6 of his aerial duels, including a header that was nearly a goal. Despite it being early in the season, he consistently demonstrated his ability to replace Casemiro with a different playing style. He also performed creditably in his UEFA Champions League group stage debut against Celtic FC and in the match against RB Leipzig, maintaining strong passing and recovery rates.
4.4.3. Tactical Role and Development
Tchouaméni seamlessly integrated into Real Madrid's midfield, particularly filling the void left by Casemiro. Real Madrid's tactical setup, which often employed three central midfielders with a deep-lying anchor like Casemiro, required a player who could provide defensive stability. While Tchouaméni's defensive attributes, such as his tackling and interception, were compared to Casemiro's world-class abilities, he brought a different dimension to the midfield.
Unlike Casemiro, who primarily remained in a deeper position to shield the back four and allow Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić to venture forward, Tchouaméni tends to receive the ball in higher areas. This forward impetus, coupled with his strong dribbling skills, allowed him to carry the ball directly into advanced positions, contributing significantly to Real Madrid's build-up play, an area where Kroos and Modrić previously bore more of the burden due to Casemiro's less expansive passing range. This forward progression and offensive contribution were clear advantages.
However, Tchouaméni's higher positioning could sometimes place increased defensive pressure on Kroos and Modrić, whose mobility had declined with age. This led to analyses suggesting that more mobile midfielders like Federico Valverde or Eduardo Camavinga might be better suited for certain roles to maintain defensive balance. Despite these tactical adjustments, Tchouaméni quickly asserted his dominance.
In the Madrid Derby against Atlético Madrid, he played the full match, assisting Rodrygo with a perfect lobbed pass. His 91% pass completion rate and strong defensive work earned him a high rating. The defensive balance with Kroos and Modrić, which had been a concern, was less apparent due to Real Madrid's overall defensive approach and the strong defensive contributions of wingers like Vinícius Júnior and Valverde. Though he had a less impactful performance against CA Osasuna, he rebounded strongly against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, dominating the midfield with Kroos and Valverde.
He also started his first El Clásico against Barcelona, contributing to a 3-1 victory by providing effective defensive support and forward drives from the back. Real Madrid maintained a dominant record against Barcelona during this period. He later came off the bench against Elche CF and set up a goal for Marco Asensio by initiating a through pass to Rodrygo Goes. His acquisition was deemed a perfect fit, as he offered different tools to replace Casemiro and helped the team adapt seamlessly. While potential defensive gaps might appear in major matches, he has consistently filled the role effectively.
Tchouaméni has also demonstrated versatility by playing as a centre-back on several occasions. For example, in matches against CA Osasuna and Deportivo Alavés, he filled in due to injuries to key defenders like Éder Militão and David Alaba, as well as suspensions for Nacho Fernández. Despite preferring his natural midfield position, he capably adapted to the central defense role when needed.
5. International Career
Aurélien Tchouaméni has represented France at multiple levels, from youth teams to the senior national squad, marking a consistent rise through the international ranks.
5.1. Youth National Teams
Tchouaméni was a regular call-up for France's youth national teams across various age groups. He was part of the France U-16 squad in 2015-16. With the U-17 team in 2017, he participated in both the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He continued his progression with the U-18 and U-19 teams, and then with the U-20 team in 2019. In 2021, his strong performances with Monaco earned him a call-up to the U-21 France national team for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He played as a regular starter in the tournament, though the team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by the U-21 Netherlands national team.
5.2. Senior National Team Debut and Early Matches
On 26 August 2021, Aurélien Tchouaméni received his first call-up to the France senior squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in September. He made his international debut on 1 September 2021, in a World Cup qualifying game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, coming on as a substitute for Thomas Lemar in the 46th minute. His first goal for the national team came on 25 March 2022, in a friendly match against Ivory Coast.
5.3. Major Tournament Participation
Tchouaméni has been a key player for France in major international tournaments, contributing to both successes and challenges.
5.3.1. 2022 FIFA World Cup
In November 2022, Aurélien Tchouaméni was included in France's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. With key midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté sidelined due to injuries, Tchouaméni's role as a starting defensive midfielder became crucial for the team.
He scored his first World Cup goal on 10 December 2022, a powerful long-range strike in France's 2-1 victory over England in the quarter-finals, helping secure their progression to the semi-finals. He started in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final on 18 December 2022, against Argentina at Lusail Stadium, Qatar. Despite a remarkable effort by the French team to come back from a deficit, the match went to a penalty shootout. Tchouaméni was one of two French players to miss his penalty, contributing to France's defeat and their failure to win a second consecutive World Cup title.
5.3.2. UEFA Nations League
Tchouaméni made his debut in a major tournament by featuring as a substitute in the semi-final of the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League against Belgium. He then started and played the full match in the final against Spain. His performance was excellent, with a 79% pass completion rate, 1 chance created, 4 interceptions, 6 ball recoveries, and 8 successful duels, contributing significantly to France's victory in the tournament. He also played a key role in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, notably featuring in the group stage match against Austria on 22 September 2022, where he played the full 90 minutes. He recorded impressive statistics including 63/73 successful passes, 1 chance created, 2/2 successful dribbles, 3/7 successful long passes, 3 ball recoveries, 5/7 successful ground duels, and 1/1 successful aerial duels, demonstrating strong midfield control.
6. Career Statistics
6.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | Notes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| Bordeaux II | 2017-18 | 16 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16 | 3 | ||
| Bordeaux | 2018-19 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | - | - | 19 | 1 | ||
| 2019-20 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 18 | 0 | |||
| Total | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | - | - | 37 | 1 | |||
| Monaco | 2019-20 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2020-21 | 36 | 2 | 6 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 42 | 3 | |||
| 2021-22 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 11 | 1 | - | - | 50 | 5 | 4 UEFA Champions League, 7 UEFA Europa League | ||
| Total | 74 | 5 | 10 | 2 | - | - | 11 | 1 | - | - | 95 | 8 | |||
| Real Madrid | 2022-23 | 33 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 10 UEFA Champions League; 1 UEFA Super Cup, 2 FIFA Club World Cup | |
| 2023-24 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 3 | 8 UEFA Champions League; 2 Supercopa de España | ||
| 2024-25 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 8 UEFA Champions League; 2 Supercopa de España, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 FIFA Intercontinental Cup | ||
| Total | 81 | 3 | 8 | 0 | - | - | 26 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 124 | 3 | |||
| Career total | 196 | 11 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 273 | 15 | |||
6.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 2021 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 38 | 3 | |
6.3. International Goals
France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Tchouaméni goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 March 2022 | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France | 8 | Ivory Coast | 2-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 2 | 10 December 2022 | Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar | 19 | England | 1-0 | 2-1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
| 3 | 7 September 2023 | Parc des Princes, Paris, France | 26 | Republic of Ireland | 1-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
7. Honours
Aurélien Tchouaméni has accumulated a significant number of team and individual accolades throughout his professional career, highlighting his success at both club and international levels.
7.1. Club Honours
Monaco
- Coupe de France runner-up: 2020-21
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2023-24
- Copa del Rey: 2022-23
- Supercopa de España: 2024
- UEFA Champions League: 2023-24
- UEFA Super Cup: 2022, 2024
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2022
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2024
7.2. International Honours
France
- UEFA Nations League: 2020-21
- FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2022
7.3. Individual Honours
- Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2020-21
- Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year: 2020-21, 2021-22