The Italian coach views Tchouameni as a pivotal component in his midfield setup, especially following the departure of Toni Kroos. The French defensive midfielder has faced intense scrutiny from fans, who expect him to fill the void left by Kroos, creating a midfield dynamic akin to the former central midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric, and Kroos.

Tchouameni's significance has become even more pronounced with Eduardo Camavinga's injury before the season's opening match, the UEFA Super Cup. Consequently, Tchouameni has started every game so far, being substituted only once, in a match against Mallorca.

Over 423 minutes of play, Tchouameni has gradually improved while striving to establish new tactical understandings with his teammates. However, his recent physical issues have been a major concern for Real Madrid's medical team.

The recent injury to Eder Militao has underscored another reason why Tchouameni is indispensable for Ancelotti: his role as a third central defender. With the absence of new reinforcements, David Alaba's long-term injury, and Jesus Vallejo's limited role, Tchouameni's versatility has become critical.

Losing Tchouameni would be like losing both a midfielder and a central defender, a significant double blow to the team.

Tchouameni is currently dealing with a recurring issue in his left foot, where he previously suffered a stress fracture in the second metatarsal. This injury kept him out for 91 days last season, affecting both club and international fixtures. Despite precautionary measures that should enable him to feature against Real Sociedad on 14 September, there is considerable anxiety about his condition and potential setbacks.

Ancelotti has stressed the importance of Tchouameni's unique attributes, noting, "Tchouameni is a fundamental player for us. He has qualities that are very important for our team. I don't expect him to be Kroos, just as I didn't expect Kroos to be Tchouameni.

"Each player has their own characteristics. The team needs to adapt to Tchouameni's qualities, which are crucial for us."

As Real Madrid face a challenging season with fluctuating team dynamics, Tchouameni's versatility was expected to be a key asset, especially given Alaba's and Militao's injuries. Ancelotti and the team are hoping for a swift recovery for Tchouameni to mitigate the impact of his absence.

Aurelien Tchouameni's crucial role at Real Madrid under scrutiny