“He has had a phenomenal rise. We were already following him in Nantes, he confirmed in Frankfurt and he met our expectations. With this transfer to PSG (this summer), he will be even more exposed. This is the flip side. I repeat to the players each time they are selected, they are more closely watched as soon as they become international. It’s a constant progression at all levels with increasingly high demands.”. Here is what Didier Deschamps said, on the sidelines of the Germany-France clash, about Randal Kolo Muani, recruited in the last minutes of the transfer window by Paris Saint-Germain. Strong words and more than ever verified in the light of the new contrasting performance of the native of Bondy.
A counter still stuck at 1 small goal…
If everything seems to indicate that he will be Olivier Giroud’s successor at the forefront of the French attack in the years to come, the one who has just set down his bags in the French capital must, on the other hand, confirm the beautiful promises of the final of the World Cup and it is clear that there is still a long way to go… Remaining on the bench during the Blues’ victory (2-0) against Ireland last Thursday, Kolo Muani did not, in fact, have the opportunity to shine among his two new teammates Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Preferred to RKM to compensate for the injury of the Rossoneri striker, Marcus Thuram took the opportunity to score his first goal with the A. A rather logical choice at a time when the 24-year-old Frenchman was still treating a painful ankle.
Yes, but here it is, Tuesday evening, at Signal Iduna Park and in front of 60,486 spectators, the number 12 vice-world champion indeed had a golden opportunity. That of proving to everyone – Didier Deschamps first and foremost – that he has broad enough shoulders and strong enough backs to carry the French attack in the future. Failed again. Far from being solely responsible for this first setback in 2023, the French international with 10 caps (1 goal) was, however, unable to seize his chance. Aligned alongside Antoine Griezmann in the 4-4-2 designed by DD, the new Parisian has, in fact, generally disappointed. Imprecise in the last gesture and little noticed by his partners, the one who remained silent during his last five appearances in the tricolor jersey never managed to get the Blues out of the rut in which they were mired.
The aftereffect of a turbulent transfer window?
Despite its traditional combativeness and some interesting calls, RKM had a difficult evening on German soil. Result ? 11 lost balls, a completely unscrewed shot and a small duel won out of four contested. All while playing on bad luck – like this guilty slip following a strike from Tchouameni repelled by Ter Stegen (57th) – even injustice, at the time when Antonio Rüdiger opted for a defense only tolerated by Anthony Taylor, the referee of this meeting (20th). Too little impact and author of some bad choices in the game, the one who was credited with a 5 by the FM editorial team finally gave way to Marcus Thuram shortly after the hour mark (64th). An insufficient performance briefly commented on by his coach, present at a press conference. “Kolo Muani is back in competition, it’s been more than two weeks without a match, he’s not in top form. Even if we want to win every match, a large part of the players need to have playing time in relation to our deadlines, with the requirements remaining the same..
If it is still too early to say that the number 23 of PSG lost big at the start of September, the person concerned, on the other hand, missed a great opportunity to show his advantage in the tricolor jersey. After several weeks of tension and a summer to say the least hectic, the new star of the Rouge et Bleu will now have to find the mental resources necessary to resume his walk. Questioned by the daily The Teamthose around him assured, as such, that he retained – more than ever – great motivation and an impeccable state of mind. “What would have been emotionally hard is for him to stay in Frankfurt. There, the ending is beautiful. So now he is totally focused on his sporting goals.”. For Randal Kolo Muani, the next few weeks are already shaping up to be decisive…
