He is not yet 22, yet he will be a real cornerstone for Monaco at the end of the 18th day of the Ligue 1 championship. Aurélien Tchouameni (7 caps), whose odds continue to rise and in which the biggest European clubs started. To put themselves, he knows that the light will be on his performance.

He will have to be able to deliver a high-quality result to allow Monaco to get their ninth unbeaten game in a row, against the best team in France.

“I’m trying to advance,” asserts the Monaco newspaper. “I work for it every day. I am happy with my situation. Of course, my new situation obligates me to be more of a leader, both on and off the field. But that does not change my nature. I remain the same with my teammates and staff, and listen to advice.”

Don’t let it spread

His “humility and ability to work” is what Niko Kovac continues to appreciate in his player. “We talked a lot about him,” says the coach. “His development is good. He has worked a lot for it with humility. He wants to keep learning with every practice. But also off the field, he wants to understand by video what works and what he needs to do to progress. It is important that he does not change.”

Since Kovac’s arrival, Chwamini has always positioned himself at the level to cross thresholds. When he was called up to the France A team, the Croatian coach, the former captain in his pick, described to him what would happen. Tchwamini knew how to impose himself without distorting his character.

Didier Deschamps appreciates this maturity. He sees in the former Bordelais a player capable of being part of the group for the upcoming World Cup, along with Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot, three key men in the middle. A very competitive sector in France. But for this, Chwamini cannot rest on his laurels.

“He shouldn’t get distracted,” Kovac explains. “He has to maintain his form and be aggressive and a leader on the field. He is the best midfielder in France and internationally. But he knows he has to improve more. Shine a spotlight on him. If he changes, it will be more complicated.”

27 hits, 1 goal

The most used field player of Monaco in L1 (1281 minutes), he is also the one who played the most balls (1139) and made the most passes (901) for the team. It is also the red and white coaches who have scored the most hits (27 times since the start of the season, or 1.69 attempts per game). However, he only scored one goal and did not give an assist in the first division. This is an important step to take.

But in the fight record in particular, Kovac will be waiting for him on Sunday. “We will have to respond in offensive or defensive duels,” the player warns. “We will have a lot of desire and determination to win. You have to be very focused for 90 minutes.”

Chwamini knows Monaco has the potential to win. Last season, ASM made it twice in the tournament (3-2 in the principality, 2-0 in Paris).

“We keep very good memories,” the community remembers. I talked about it with Kylian (Mbappe) during the match at Park Stadium against Kazakhstan (8-0). We laughed together. We had a good performance. We moved a little less than usual. But the teams are different this season. We have a new story to write.”