Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, Jean-Clair Todibo, Axel Disasi, Benjamin Pavard and even Jules Koundé, the right axis of the defense of the France team is rather well supplied. If we think about the right-back position Benjamin Pavard and Jules Koundé come back into discussions like Jonathan Clauss and the new kid Malo Gusto. However, another player is a legitimate candidate for this position and has still not had his first cap, it is Mohamed Simakan. Having passed through Olympique de Marseille and Air Bel during his training, the 23-year-old finished his training in Strasbourg where he started professionally. Impressive from his first outings, he convinced RB Leipzig to bet on him in 2021 for an amount of 15 million euros. A nice sum, living up to the promises shown in Ligue 1 by the right-hander.
Solid for his first season, he had more difficulty last season with some physical problems. For this 2023/2024 season, however, he is off to a solid start. However, the summer was hot for him. We revealed interest from Arsenal and Manchester United during the last transfer window. Finally stayed in the Bundesliga, which was good for him. Gaining confidence and influence within the Saxon team, he often alternated between the position of right back and that of central defender before settling on the latter position. A versatility which is to be valued and which makes him essential in Leipzig. Last year, he was more on the right flank to leave Josko Gvardiol and Willi Orban in the middle. The Croatian left for Manchester City and the Hungarian currently injured, he returned to the axis and his friend is called Castello Lukeba. A hinge that is present at the start of the season.
Mohamed Simakan shines with Castello Lukeba
Starting all matches (excluding the German Cup) for Leipzig, he forms the second best defense in the championship with 6 goals conceded in 7 matches, which is as many as Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, but one unit more than Eintracht Frankfurt (5 goals conceded). At the start of the season, he had several benchmark matches such as against Union Berlin (3-0) or especially Bayern Munich (2-2) where he had a huge impact on the match. His duo with Castello Lukeba sparks and is a continuation of the Euro U21 where the two players showed great things with France. A selection that Mohamed Simakan joined late (November 2022) while he already has great references (8 Europa League matches, 13 Champions League matches and already 89 appearances with RB Leipzig).
Having not had recent contact with the staff of the French team, Mohamed Simakan continues to nourish this dream as he declared last February to Téléfoot : “as a dreamer, I think about the Blues and I believe in them. It’s the country where I was born, it’s the selection that makes all French people dream. For me, it’s even more than a dream. I have to do everything I can to get him. There is always a place to be taken. One day, when luck arrives, we will have to show that we can stay there.” The binational, also selectable with Guinea, is in any case doing everything to reach the French team and his duo with Castello Lukeba can help him. “Castello developed well and Momo, who has known all this for a little longer, also took Castello by the hand and guided him a little. It was great too” said Marco Rose in particular about his two nuggets. Like the Ibrahima Konaté – Dayot Upamecano duo who are now essential after having enjoyed the heyday of Leipzig in the past, Mohamed Simakan is now waiting to join his young teammate in the blue tunic.
