The role of national coach in preparing for the Olympic Games is certainly difficult. Since the Olympics are not subject to the rules of the FIFA calendar, the clubs and employers of the players are not required to release them. So the situation can change quickly regarding the composition of the squads.
In theory, the selections were established and definitively recorded on July 3. But hazards can still occur during this off-season and preparation period. The proof this week with Chelsea’s recall of French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu – one of the four reserves selected by Thierry Henry for the Paris Games.
OL agrees to release a third player
To compensate for this last-minute absence, the former Bleus striker had to turn to Johann Lepenant, a player who had his place among the Espoirs last season but who was cut short by an injury at the start of the year. OL having agreed to release its midfielder after having already given up Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette.
The 21-year-old is expected in Aix-en-Provence on Monday, where the Olympic Blues are completing their preparations before their first match in the tournament against the United States next Wednesday. Like him, Théo De Percin (AJ Auxerre), Andy Diouf (RC Lens) and Chrislain Matsima (AS Monaco) will only play in the Olympics if the French squad forfeits.
Thierry Henry’s Olympic group:
Goalkeepers: Guillaume Restes (Toulouse FC), Nkambadio Obed (Paris FC).
Defenders: Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (SC Fribourg), Bradley Locko (Stade Brestois), Adrien Truffert (Stade Rennais), Loïc Badé (FC Sevilla) Soungoutou Magassa (AS Monaco).
Midfielders: Joris Chotard (Montpellier Hérault), Désiré Doué (Stade Rennes), Enzo Millot (VfB Stuttgart), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco).
Forwards: Rayan Cherki (Olympique Lyonnais), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Stade Rennes), Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyonnais), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace).
