France superstar returns to training ahead of Euro 2024 opener against Austria: Reports
According to a report by GFFN, Aurelien Tchouameni has returned to training with the France national team ahead of their Euro 2024 opener. The Real Madrid midfielder is expected to be rested for Monday's (June 17) opening game against Austria.
Tchouameni sustained a foot injury that made his availability questionable but has recovered in time to be available for training. The midfielder enjoyed a successful campaign with his club, Real Madrid, playing 38 games this season and pitching in with three goals and one assist.
Didier Deschamps will have to find a suitable replacement for the midfielder for the game against Austria in Dusseldorf. Les Bleus face a tricky Group D fixture list, in what looks to be the group of death; France will face Austria, the Netherlands and Poland.
The France team heads into Euro 2024 as one of the favorites to win the competition, thanks to their wealth of options across the pitch. Les Bleus' strength in depth could see them potentially replace Aurelien Tchouameni with another quality option from their selection. N'golo Kante, Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga are all candidates to stand in for the Real Madrid midfielder.
France head coach Didier Deschamps believes in Kylian Mbappe's leadership qualities at Euro 2024
France head coach Didier Deschamps believes in his captain, Kylian Mbappe, to put the team's needs ahead of his at Euro 2024. The forward will lead Les Bleus as their captain for the first time in a major competition in Germany when they begin their campaign.
The Real Madrid forward is one of the best players on the planet and will be under pressure to perform for the national team. The Paris Saint-Germain legend scored an impressive 44 goals in his final season in Ligue 1 and will hope to take that goalscoring form to the Euros.
Deschamps believes that the new captain will have no issues at the tournament. The French head coach, who has been the captain of the national team himself, told The Athletic that he has no worries about Mbappe leading the team.
"He is always at the center of things. That won't change, He will not do anything that goes against the collective interest. It won't be any problem. He is in very good shape, very happy, and concentrated on working hard. The most important thing is that he has the greatest possible freedom. My objective is to put him in the best conditions, and put the team in the best conditions so that he can be as effective as possible," he said.
France boss Deschamps hopes to lead his nation to glory at Euro 2024 and join the list of men to have won the FIFA World Cup and Euros as a player and a manager.