Returning to Ligue 1 this season with Lorient, Tiémoué Bakayoko has enjoyed a rich career, notably playing for Chelsea, AC Milan and Napoli. During an interview for the newspaper l’Équipe, the former Monegasque looked back on moments from his career. The defensive midfielder also spoke about his short international career with the Blues and would not have closed the door to his second country Ivory Coast.
» The french team ? It’s mixed… I’m not completely international, because I only have a selection. At Chelsea, I was disappointed not to return. France is world champion and there is a regret of not having been. I believed in it, but there are so many quality players in France. You wait, you work and you accept. »
Before continuing: “When I am called up, I am closer to Ivory Coast, even if the Blues remain the ultimate dream. When you have dual nationality, you don’t realize how difficult it is to choose. Between the moment Didier Deschamps called me and the moment I said yes, I didn’t eat for two days, I had a lump in my stomach. In a way, if I were to play for Ivory Coast now, I would feel like I was disowning myself. But I’ve evolved a little, I’m not saying no, I’m not saying yes. »
Timoué Bakayoko soon with the Elephants?
Timoué Bakayoko sends a strong message to the Ivorian selection, recent African champions. The Lorient midfielder, who is no longer in the plans of Didier Deschamps and the French team, would not be against arriving at the Elephants.
The player has dual nationality and could wear the orange jersey. It remains to be seen whether he could be part of Emerse Faé’s plans, who have a high-quality group with high-level midfielders like Seko Fofana, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré and Jean-Michael Seri. To be continued…
