2023-08-24 15:50:08
One week away from his back-to-school list for the September rally (France-Ireland on September 7 in qualifying for the Euro, Germany-France in a friendly on the 11th), Didier Deschamps gave an interview to the newspaper on Thursday The team.
The opportunity in particular for the coach of the Blues to discuss the state of form of Kylian Mbappé, placardized by the PSG during a good part of the summer. Has he started to worry about his captain in view of international deadlines? He assures me not. “He would have come with us, that’s for sure (…) We would have made sure to find solutions” even if Mbappé had not played again, says “DD”, who exchanged with him during this period. The coach is very complimentary towards his number one relay in the locker room, whom he fully trusts to manage his career and his next contract without this disrupting his performance in Blue. “To make him lose his peace, to Kylian… Whoever will do this is not yet born. »
On Thierry Henry: “The fact that he makes this choice is a risk for him too”
The Bayonne technician always strives to remain pragmatic in his media interventions, and to say as little as possible about his affects. This was again the case on the Thierry Henry file, the new coach of the Hopes with whom he had the good times of the selection (World Cup 1998, Euro 2000), and whose appointment he welcomes without outpouring of particular joy.
Didier Deschamps and Thierry Henry chatting before the France-Belgium semi-final at the 2018 World Cup.
“Thierry is very happy to have been chosen. He was motivated, I’m happy for him, he’s someone I’ve always had a good relationship with, with a lot of respect. Even if I am not part of his inner circle, ”says the coach, who will have to collaborate with “Titi” on good terms with the subject in particular of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the presence of Mbappé. “It’s not me who will decide (…) I want Thierry Henry to have the best team in France possible. But it’s fantasizing to say who will go or who will not, today. »
It will also be a question of certain young talents who can shuttle between the Espoirs and the A’s. “You may have considerations regarding Thierry’s ego, which would be oversized. Me, I have a fluid, simple relationship with him. The fact that he makes this choice is a risk for him too. It means he’s questioning himself. »
N’Golo Kanté still “selectable”, in his eyes
The arrival of Henry, combined with that of Hervé Renard among women, marks a new era, that of President Philippe Diallo. And Deschamps, close to the former patriarch Noël Le Graët, in all this? “No, I’m not isolated,” he insists to L’Equipe, focused on the goal of Euro 2024. A competition in which he says he is confident, given the abilities of the new generation, while not closing the door to old losers, like Paul Pogba or N’Golo Kanté.
Regarding the first, still in the infirmary on the side of Juventus Turin, he still believes in a return to the highest level despite the litany of injuries. “I think he can come back, he has the mind, the ability.” Regarding the second, who went into exile in Saudi Arabia alongside Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad, he also remains optimistic.
“N’Golo Kanté remains selectable. He needs to play regularly, which he does. “An interesting statement when the coach used to say that competing in the Champions League was a major criterion in his choices. “I won’t hide from you that when it’s 45 degrees, the first half hour is fine, but afterwards, in terms of rhythm, it’s more difficult. It’s not yet Champions League level, but it’s still a good level because of the players present. »
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