The rise of the Monaco and France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni

13-Oct-2021 11:39:12 | The Guardian

Tchouaméni was a talented prospect when he joined Monaco last year. Now he is a France international – and champion

When Bordeaux sold Aurélien Tchouaméni to Monaco for £16m last January they may have thought they had done well to command such a fee for a 20-year-old academy product who had only started 13 league games for the club. They won’t be seeing it that way now. Tchouaméni has blossomed in the last 18 months, becoming a star for Monaco and winning his first trophy for France.

As a youngster, Tchouaméni was used as a playmaker or a forward, but he has become such an influential figure from deep for Monaco that, despite his tender years, he is currently vice-captain for the club. Niko Kovac’s decision to use him in the centre of midfield has had a positive impact for Monaco, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season. Tchouaméni was their standout player, winning the Ligue 1 young player of the year award and making it into the Ligue 1 team of the season.