With Didier Deschamps, it’s difficult to know what footing to take when it comes to putting together your list for each gathering. During this November break, the Blues coach surprised everyone by pulling out of his hat a certain N’Golo Kanté who had not been called up for more than a year. And as DD never does things by halves, the Al-Ittihad defensive midfielder went from a comeback in the French team to immediately starting in this very important match against Ukraine.
And in a pre-match press conference, Didier Deschamps explained that he was still counting on the experience of the 35-year-old midfielder. “Kante is doing well, he arrived with a smile. If he will start after yesterday’s session? It wasn’t me who made the team in training (laughs). He maintains his level of performance, with a certain rhythm, because his club is playing in the Asian Champions League. He is always at his best. He has a background and an experience which are also important”he explained. On the pitch, N’Golo Kanté proved him right since he was one of the best Frenchmen on the pitch at the Parc des Princes against Ukraine, even offering a goal to Michael Olise.
A headache for Didier Deschamps
Enough to confirm that there was no real debate about him in the France team? Not really. This Friday evening, the daily L’Team explains that the case of the middle 35 year old is divisive and not so simple. The former Caennais took advantage of the absence of Aurélien Tchouameni. But if the Blues staff wants to make room for youth and the Tchouameni – Koné pair or even Rabiot, Didier Deschamps does not see Kanté as a third choice and it is difficult for him to summon him to be just a simple replacement, especially in the double pivot installed by DD.
The French daily adds that the staff is nuanced, because if they know that Kanté also has an important role for the group due to his “unusual aura” and his great experience, he also knows that his physical condition is declining more and more (notably during the Euro in Germany). In the United States, as the Club World Cup illustrated, the temperatures should have a strong impact on the physical condition of the players. And his call-up would therefore also imply a downgrading of a young, fresher midfielder. Enough to pose a real dilemma for the Blues staff in the coming months. But his case is not so easy to manage.
