Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Raphinha surprises wonderkid Yamal with £10k gold iPhone

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Real Madrid midfielder announces shock retirement in emotional letter

Rodri admits he wouldn't have even chosen Vinicius Jr. as Ballon d'Or runner-up

‘Can't think long term’ – Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals

Endrick set to be offered 'escape route' out of Real Madrid

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Dembele receives criticism for Euros form</li><li>Failed to make impact in first two games</li><li>Tchoumeni defends Dembele</li></ul>

Ousmane Dembele defended by France team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni following disappointing start to Euro 2024

UEFA Nations League A

Italy

France

Didier Deschamps' France side came into the Euros as one of the outright favourites to win the tournament but have failed to live up to the billing as they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/france-player-ratings-vs-austria-kylian-mbappe-fluffs-lines-euro-2024-opener/blt5c816f3b5d2213ed" target="_blank">scraped past Austria for a 1-0 win</a> and lulled to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/france-player-ratings-netherlands-kylian-mbappe-adrian-rabiot-stinker-antoine-griezmann-var-euro-2024/blt2d1427deaf9d7991" target="_blank">goalless draw against the Netherlands</a>. One player who has seen the bulk of the criticism has been Dembele due to his lack of effectiveness in the final third, however, Real Madrid's Tchouameni has defended the winger.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to the media, the 24-year-old said: "Ousmane, nothing affects him! Everything is fine, he is an exceptional player. He is very important in our system. We know that this type of player achieves a lot of things and that he will perhaps miss things, it's normal."

WHAT TCHOUAMENI SAID

Ever since his Barcelona days, Dembele has received a lot of criticism regarding his poor decision-making skills despite his supreme abilities to take on and beat his markers close to the box. It is unlikely that he will be dropped by Deschamps but another poor performance could see his spot in jeopardy as they make their way to the knockout stages.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

France will be in action on Tuesday, June 25 against Poland as they look to win and confirm their spot in the last 16 of the European Championship.

WHAT NEXT FOR DEMBELE?

Ousmane Dembele defended by France team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni following disappointing start to Euro 2024 | Goal.com

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele has failed to impress for France so far at the Euros but Aurelien Tchouameni believes he is a vital player.