Kylian Mbappé was relaxed in front of the media on the eve of the match against Ireland. CLODOGH KILCOYNE/REUTERS
The captain of the Blues faced the media this Sunday, on the eve of the meeting of the Blues against Ireland.
Special Envoy to Dublin
His attitude on the first game as captain
“I was the same as without the armband, I naturally played my new role. There was not much to do given the performance of the team. When it’s good you don’t need to talk just to talk. Nothing more. (On his presence in front of the media) It’s not that I take a liking to it, it never bothered me (to come face to face with the media). But the coach asked me and I’m here. »
The face of the Blues when it will be difficult
“We are not going to wait (it will be difficult). If we can make the matches easy, we will not deprive ourselves (smile). In the difficulty, we will see what we have in the belly. Against the Netherlands (4-0 victory), we made the match easy, when it was not. At some point, we will be less well but I think our team has the character to overcome this kind of test. »
His view of Ireland
“We saw the first half at Clairefontaine (last Wednesday), it was a friendly match (3-2 victory against Latvia), it’s difficult to judge. They are a team that plays three behind, we tend to think of them as a rough team, but they try to have possession. It won’t be fun. We will have to be offensive and aggressive and I hope that we will emerge victorious from this battle. (On the young nugget Evan Ferguson) We have seen different videos of him, he is a very good striker and scorer. We hope he won’t do anything good tomorrow (Monday), that way it will mean that we did our job well. »
If he makes the link between the generations at the Blues
“Yes, I said that I was the link between the two generations, but to be honest, I was not of much use on this point because the group lives well together and that was seen during the Friday game. I hope it will continue like this, it gives me less work (smiles) and it’s perfect for everyone. This generation, which is also mine, is carefree, does not always take the importance of the stakes, approaches certain major matches in an ordinary way. We want to show that we want to be great, this desire for greatness and we have a lot of players who characterize that, it’s important to aim for the heights. »
His view of Rabiot’s progress
“He is a player who has reached footballing maturity and in his life. I met him at PSG and he has changed. We see someone calm, sure of his strength, who knows what he’s doing. He gives me confidence, he has gained importance on the pitch and in the group, he is asserting himself more and more. The talent, he always had it. It is beneficial for everyone. »
Read alsoThe World Cup, his ambitions in the French team, the evolution of football… The confidences of Adrien Rabiot
In 5e place in the ranking of the top scorers of the Blues, behind Platini
“It’s an honor and at the same time the next target to be shot down. Michel Platini (41 goals against 38 for Mbappé) is an absolute, undisputed legend of French football. I will continue my journey and it will go through Michel Platini (laughs).