French team: Deschamps justifies his choice of Tchouamani for the armband

The coach of the French national team has made his decision in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, the usual captain. Aurelien Tchouameni, a Real Madrid midfielder and Mbappé’s teammate, will wear the armband during the match against Israel on Thursday at 20:45 in Budapest as part of the League of Nations.

Didier Deschamps has become less inclined to feign during his public statements. He visibly shows annoyance during press conferences and no longer hides his frustration with certain questions. However, he must have anticipated that the appointment of a new captain in Mbappé’s absence would require explanations, especially since several players appeared to be legitimate candidates for the role.
The suspense was resolved on Wednesday morning, just before the game against Israel, when Aurelien Tchouameni was selected to take the armband, ahead of Mike Maignan, another strong contender. “I believe he has the profile to take on this responsibility,” Deschamps stated, emphasizing Tchouameni’s experience and strong character as he establishes himself as an undisputed starter in the team.

“This appointment should not change his game, but it is an additional step for him,” Deschamps added, trying to acknowledge the other candidates for the captaincy. “He is not alone; other players also have leadership qualities, like Mike (Maignan), Ibou (Konaté), and Jules (Koundé).”