Established against Belgium with the France team on Monday evening (2-1), Mattéo Guendouzi benefits from the confidence of coach Didier Deschamps. The Lazio Rome midfielder, who had already made a good start against Israel a few days earlier (4-1), is gaining ground among the Blues.
More than his playing time, it is Guendouzi’s position which may have surprised some observers. Against the Belgian selection, the former Marseille
played in an attacking midfielder role, higher up compared to his habits as a relay player.
Payet sees Guendouzi “taking another dimension”
For Dimitri Payet, Guendouzi has the qualities to meet expectations for this position. “ If he played it, he can do it. But I have always known him as a relay player and it is the most suitable position with his qualities. Against Israel, we saw a wave of energy at the start and the goals arrived. I’m not surprised”explained the former OM playmaker in L’Équipe.
Payet also sees Guendouzi taking a step forward in finishing.
“If he starts scoring more… it will be another player who will explode, take on another dimension, because he knows how to pass. In Marseille, we were on him around his finish. He’s made progress on that, but he’s still terrible at pétanque. (Laughs.) »
