Real Madrid midfielder uses the international break as a ‘pre-season’ to regain fitness and rhythm | OneFootball

According to AS, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has fully capitalised on the extended international break to regain his fitness and rhythm.

The French midfielder has been using the past two weeks to have the ‘pre-season’ he did not get during the summer with an injury.

There is still a third week to come, the one that is beginning now, and it will be the week when he gets the green light to complete his conditioning. But the signs have been excellent. In short, everything is going according to plan.

Tchouameni played in the derby against Atletico Madrid without being at his physical and sporting best. He was fully recovered from his injury, but lacked match rhythm.

After staying in Madrid during the international break, he has worked hard on what was missing. Now he is ready.

A key player for Mourinho

Tchouameni is a key player for the coaching staff, the player who is expected to provide stability to the team. He is important in the build-up and, above all, provides defensive strength.

Lacking rhythm and sharpness. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

That is inevitably a concern: Real Madrid have conceded nine goals in eight matches. The problem became bigger in the last two games as the Merengues let in two against Elche and two in the derby.

Tchouameni played in both the matches, but it was clear that he was short of training and needed more minutes.

And, France manager Zinedine Zidane decided to not call him up so that he can work on those things while staying back in Madrid.

A lot of hard work

These have been weeks of a heavy physical workload for Tchouameni with very few days off. While many of his teammates have been able to enjoy some time away, he has understood that these three weeks are about making up for lost time.

It is the specific preparation he could not do in the summer because of the injury he carried from the World Cup.

Inside Valdebebas, the message is that he has spent “hours and hours” working – many in the gym, many out on the pitch, combining sessions with his team-mates with individual, personalised work.

The focus has been on getting his physical condition back to where it needs to be.

Centre-back crisis

Tchouameni could play at centre-back for Real Madrid vs Villarreal. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

In the short term, the situation is serious. Villarreal are next for Real Madrid, and everything suggests that Tchouameni will start, possibly at centre-back.

Eder Militao is already working on the pitch but will not return until at least November. Dean Huijsen is suspended after being sent off in the derby, while Raul Asencio has just undergone surgery and will be out for at least three months.

And, Ibrahima Konate is being handled with caution after returning from the France camp with an injury.

Given the situation, Mourinho will have to choose between Tchouameni and a youth-team player such as Oscar Naasei, Joan Martínez or Mario Rivas to partner Antonio Rudiger.

That decision will come later. For now, Tchouameni is about making the most of the present. by going to Valdebebas, pushing himself, recovering his fitness, his confidence and his rhythm.