After the fiasco of the Tokyo Olympics, Thierry Henry should be able to rely on a quality team during the Paris Games next summer. French football leaders are confident.
Not to relive the Tokyo fiasco is the first objective of the French team before the Olympic Games in Paris next summer. Coach Sylvain Ripoll had to face a cascade of withdrawals, and he had to cobble together a team around André-Pierre Gignac, Florian Thauvin and Téji Savanier, which had been unceremoniously exited in the first round.
The problem with these Olympics is that the competition does not appear on the dates of the FIFA international calendar. Unlike what is the case for a World Cup or a Euro, clubs are not obliged to leave their players available for selection in these slots. This is why the FFF is working now to convince French clubs to release their best elements for these Olympics.
. A meeting was organized on Friday at the Federation’s headquarters to prepare the ground for the Games.
“An Olympic breath” For Vincent Labrune, these Olympics are a means “ to promote French football internationally. » “The clubs have understood this issue, explains the president of the LFP to L’Equipe.
They are fully receptive to making the Games a success. Everyone is aligned. The only subject is the recovery of the players at the end of the season between the end of competitions and the start of preparation. » Same optimism for Philippe Diallo, the president of the FFF: “There is a wonderful state of mind within French clubs. There is unity around this ambition to help France win the Olympics. Without denying all the constraints that may exist. There is a real dialogue between the clubs, the Federation and the coach. There is an Olympic breath. »
Thierry Henry, the new coach of the Bleuets, can therefore hope to have his best players available next summer.
The selections are made up of players aged 23 and under, with three jokers (which could be Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann or Hugo Lloris).
