Xabi Alonso’s Key Impact on Tchouameni’s Development and Success

Recruited by Real Madrid in 2022 for €80 million, Aurélien Tchouameni faced several challenging months. However, since Xabi Alonso took over as head coach, the French midfielder has regained his spot as a key player for the team. As a former midfielder, Alonso has played a significant role in helping Tchouameni improve.

“From the very first day, we had a video meeting, just him and me. He showed me footage from the season about positioning, what I could improve on, and what I could build upon. The focus was on positioning with and without the ball. I’ve felt that I’ve progressed in certain areas since the beginning of the season, particularly in ball positioning and forward play. Good positioning is essential; it’s not just about running a lot. Sometimes, you can save energy by running smartly to receive the ball in the right position,” he shared in an interview with L’Équipe.