In the space of a week, in January 2023, Didier Deschamps took note of the international retirements of Hugo Lloris, then Steve Mandanda. Namely the irremovable holder and his official lining for almost fifteen years. The position of number 1 with the Blues is already promised to the Milanese Mike Maignan, who has become operational again since February 26. Behind the former Lille, the hierarchy still seems to be in flux.
A first element of response will be provided this Thursday with the communication of the list of players for the matches against the Netherlands and Ireland on March 24 and 27 in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. According to our information, the presence of the Lensois Brice Samba is likely. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Lensois (April 25), has never made a secret of it, he would imagine himself in blue and should, no doubt, be answered.
“If people talk about me in the media, it’s because my performances are quite good. Afterwards, be sure of it, it is not myself who will do my propaganda. It’s a dream to represent France, he confided in mid-February to RMC Sport. If I have the opportunity, it will be with a lot of joy, desire and determination. With the retirements of Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda, there is room freeing up, I’m not going to play the hypocrite… I’m going to do my best, give myself every weekend so that the coach can call on Me. I am very religious, and everything in its time and when it is time I will simply go. »
This Sunday, after a great success for his team in Clermont (4-0), Franck Haise, the artesian technician delivered his feelings on this subject “I think that the coach does not judge only on a match, observes he. Brice did what was necessary, as often. I know he is one of the goalkeepers who are seen, followed, we have been together for 9 months and he is a great goalkeeper with strengths everywhere and no weak points. He is ready to go if there is. »
“My goal is to be efficient, to make the stop”
On February 19, Franck Raviot, the coach of the tricolor goalkeepers attended, moreover, the Lens-Nantes match of Ligue 1. On this occasion he had his eye on Samba and also on Alban Laffont already called up for the fall 2022 and in balance with Areola for a place in the next list. During the recent derby, the native of Linzolo (Republic of Congo) once again made an impression by preserving, in particular, the division of points (1-1) at the very end of the match.
Served in the area, right side, Edon Zhegrova, the Lille striker will not be out of line. After slipping between three opponents, the Kosovar international ended up firing a missile from the left less than ten meters from the line. The ball goes at a phenomenal speed at the near post. But in a fraction of a second, Samba intervenes with authority.
Trained in Le Havre then understudy of Mandanda in Marseille, Le porter artésien, also passed through Nancy or Caen, has already moved a lot. He changed dimension at Nottingham Forest (English D2) bringing his cost, in the spring of 2022, to the accession to the Premier League of the “Garibaldis”. He then prioritized Ligue 1 to join Lens last summer where he quickly won the hearts of the Blood and Gold crowd. His statistics plead, it is true, for him.
Last bastion of the tightest defense in Ligue 1 (21 goals conceded in 27 games) and author of ten “clean sheets” in the elite, the last against Clermont this Sunday, he gives an impression of quiet strength. The quality of his kicking game, this strong desire to throw cleanly, just like his astonishing reflexes, make him the archetype of the modern goalkeeper. His leadership in a group is also often mentioned. “My goal is to be efficient, to make the save. I don’t care how to do it. The ball must not cross the line, ”he repeats at will. For the time being, he clearly accords the actions in harmony with his words.