“My name is Aurélien Tchouaméni, OK?” Real Madrid’s new midfielder smiled, told the media what to call him and how – a guide to pronunciation – and then told them about the men who inspired his approach. Neither were footballers. Instead, he said, the analysis, ambition and attitude that had brought him here came from across the Atlantic: from US sporting culture, basketball especially.
“Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan: I watch videos of them, legends who got the best from themselves, who perfected their play,” he said. “You can’t ever rest: you have to do everything, and…
