Coach of the France team since 2012, Didier Deschamps has had the opportunity to launch many young prodigies among the Blues. The average age of French debuts under “La Dèche” is 23 years old. After Jonathan Clauss, Steven Nzonzi and Jordan Veretout, Jean-Philippe Mateta is the first striker aged at least 28 to be launched by the coach. The Crystal Palace striker made his debut at the age of 28 years and 3 months, on October 10 against Azerbaijan.
Steve Savidan's “record” seems impossible to beat. The former star striker from Valenciennes remains, by far, the oldest striker launched in the French team, at 30 years and 4 months. He honored his only international selection on November 19, 2008, by coming into play in place of Nicolas Anelka, at half-time of a friendly match against Uruguay (0-0) at the Stade de France. He could even have scored with an acrobatic rebound! Karim Benzema and Jimmy Briand had replaced Franck Ribéry and Thierry Henry respectively.
After two exciting seasons in Ligue 1 with VAFC (13 goals in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008), the former waiter and garbage collector signed for SM Caen and had a good start to the season. Which pushed Raymond Domenech to reward him with a call-up to the A. He had brought a breath of fresh air to this detestable French team (mainly because of the coach) but never returned to Clairefontaine.
Savidan among the 4 thirty-somethings
In the 21st century, Savidan is the only striker over the age of 30 to discover the joys of the national team. Like Mateta, Frédéric Piquionne was also 28 years old during his only appearance with the Blues. We have to go back to the 1950s to have the two oldest beginners in EDF: Henri Skiba at 31 years and 7 months in 1959 and Marceau Stricanne at 31 years and 10 months in 1951, as shown on the site Blue Chronicles. With Ernest Schultz in 1961, there are only four attackers launched after their thirties in the entire history of the Blues.
Unlike Savidan and Piquionne, Mateta has a chance of remaining in the French group depending on the injuries in the offensive sector led by Kylian Mbappé. He is already on two selections after his tenure, accompanied by a first goal, against Iceland (2-2). The former Lyonnais returned to the Premier League with a hat-trick against Bournemouth (3-3) last Saturday.
