Under Xabi Alonso, Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged as one of the pillars of this new Real Madrid team over the past few months.
The French international has been impressing game after game at the club level and also performed well for the French national team during the recently-concluded international break.
Partnering with Manu Kone in the double pivot, the midfielder emerged as an influential figure, even setting Kylian Mbappe for a goal in the 2-0 win over Ukraine.
Continuing from where he left off, Tchouameni enjoyed a solid 60 minutes against Iceland this past Tuesday, even playing a key role in Bradley Barcola’s goal. However, a rash challenge in the 68th minute earned him a red card.
With Tchouameni now set to be suspended for at least one match, AS reports that he could be rested by the French national team during the international break in October.
The incident occurred in the second half when he challenged Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson for a loose ball, but his tackle caught the Icelandic player’s shin with his studs.
Referee Antonio Nobre initially showed the France midfielder a yellow card, but after a VAR review the decision was upgraded to a straight red.
The length of his suspension remains uncertain. He will miss at least one match, but given the severity of the foul, the ban could be longer.
This situation could affect the next international window, when France face Azerbaijan (10 October) and then Iceland again three days later.
As such, the most likely outcome is that Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps will not call him up for the next two games, allowing him to stay in Madrid.
This could come as a boost for Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso, given how crucial Tchouameni is for the team.
In the official nine matches Alonso has overseen at Real Madrid (six at the Club World Cup and three in La Liga), the midfielder has only missed five minutes – substituted in the 85th against Borussia Dortmund. As such, the club would welcome the possibility of him getting a rest.