2024-10-08 13:37:08
They found Clairefontaine and attended the press conference this Tuesday morning. Christopher Nkunku and Ibrahima Konaté, were present in front of the journalists and did not avoid any topic, in particular for the Blues defender who returned to the context of the League of Nations match against Israel this Thursday 10 October (8.45 pm) in Budapest . “I don’t even have the words to describe the horror,” the player complained. What happens in the world today does not leave us indifferent.”
Before that, of course, there had been a question about the uniform worn by the former Paris FC player when he arrived at Clairefontaine. The defender arrived masked, with his head covered by an entirely fluorescent yellow/green hood, which he then opened to reveal his identity.
“It’s fun and quite entertaining. Jules, showed some very beautiful pieces. I’m here to compete with him. We are here to wage war,” he said, laughing. They’re just clothes. We know why we come, we are focused on the team but we love fashion. We love wearing great pieces. We do it for us and not for people. These are beautiful photos. You too are waiting for our arrival on Monday! »
Nkunku “very happy to return”
The Blues striker has made a more low-key return, more than a year after his last selection for the French club. “I’m very happy to be back,” he began. (…) I went through very difficult phases, it was a period I was discovering because being injured for so long was the first time, admitted the Chelsea player. I also learned to know my body, to refine it little by little. It made me learn what patience and resilience were. I am psychologically stronger. »
“The injuries are behind us, the most important thing is to stay healthy,” insisted Nkunku. The life of a footballer is never linear, I try to savor these moments. Now the important thing is to stay and perform. (…) I am in the process of regaining my level, especially in terms of sensations. In terms of pace he will come back, with playing time.”
With the absence of Kylian Mbappé – whose situation should not be “easy to live with” according to Konaté – and echoing the injuries of several senior players from major European teams, there was also talk of an overloaded schedule and the pace observed by these two members of the French team. “If we play game after game and play everything, and we get injured, we are the ones who pay the consequences,” Konaté said. It can harm an extension, a new contract; we don’t please the fans and we are criticized. If there is a movement tomorrow, obviously I will be part of it and I think all the players will follow, it is in our interest. »
Konaté hopes for a “tribute worthy of the name” for Griezmann
“I think this year, if there were a lot of games, it wouldn’t bother me because I’m very hungry,” Nkunku said. But from an overall point of view there are many matches, the question arises spontaneously, especially regarding the players who have to play all the matches for the club or selection. Health comes into play. »
“This topic is not discussed in Liverpool,” Konaté assured. There is no pressure from the club in this regard. But there are rumors for others and we need to understand the clubs. There are many matches, the players are employees of the club and the club wants them 100%. It’s up to the players to ask themselves: how am I going to get through the whole season, playing all the games. »
Finally, there was obviously talk of the surprise departure of Antoine Griezmann last week, “the famous Grizou”, as Ibrahima Konaté regretted. “What happened saddens me,” admitted the player. (…) I think he deserved an extraordinary farewell. (…) I would have preferred to know it during the last meeting to give him a farewell or goodbye worthy of the name because he totally deserves it. » As for Christopher Nkunku, there is no question of him taking his place. “Antoine left an immense legacy, he marked a generation,” he explained. I’m not trying to replace Antoine, I’m just trying to make my contribution. We have different characteristics. I just want to stay myself, do my best. »
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