Left out of France squad, Tchouaméni receives veiled warning from Zidane

Aurélien Tchouaméni was not called up by Zinédine Zidane for France’s latest squad gathering. The manager justified the decision by citing the Real Madrid midfielder’s lack of rhythm, limited to 180 minutes of play and just one start at the beginning of the season due to a thigh injury sustained during the World Cup.

But for commentator Dave Appadoo, the official explanation tells only part of the story. Addressing the player directly, he issued a blunt warning: “I believe there are no coincidences. I believe that in the same situation, if Kylian Mbappé had 180 minutes and just one start, he would be called up all the same.” According to him, Zidane’s decision was primarily a signal to Tchouaméni about his tactical and athletic shortcomings.

Appadoo went further by recalling criticism leveled during the World Cup. “Throughout the World Cup, we found you neutral, sometimes we doubted your ability to bring aggression to this midfield, complementarity with the others.” He also pointed to the selection of Lucas Da Cunha and the rise of Manu Koné as additional signals sent to the Real Madrid international.

“It doesn’t mean it’s over,” he concluded, “but it means: be careful, now you’ll have to show something different.”

Having become an undisputed starter under Didier Deschamps, Tchouaméni now finds himself in an unprecedented position since joining the France setup. Whether his absence is purely medical or reflects a sporting doubt from the new manager, the 24-year-old midfielder will need to regain his form and playing time at Real Madrid to reassert himself in Zidane’s plans.