Rayan Cherki shines under the colors of Olympique Lyonnais, especially after a remarkable performance against Reims, where he was decisive three times. His recent performances have aroused many calls to his selection for the next Blues rally in March. However, Didier Deschamps, in an interview with the team, suggested that Cherki's immediate future in the French team could be more complicated than some people hope.
Cherki and Akliouche, “Are they competing with? »»
Asked about the integration of young talents like Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche or Désiré Doué, Deschamps tempered expectations : “Who are they in competition with?” Obviously they are efficient. But there are already players in this position. »» A statement that suggests that the Gones prodigy is not in the priorities of the coach for the moment, despite his convincing performances. Deschamps notably underlined the current difficulties of certain players like Christopher Nkunku in Chelsea, while praising the progress of Michael Olise and the return of executives like Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé.
This posture of Deschamps could well benefit the Algerian selection, led by Vladimir Petković, who would have already expressed his interest in Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche. The choice of DD not to immediately integrate these young talents could open the door to a sports naturalization, a scenario which worries certain observers of French football.
A “re-oxygenation” still in progress
Deschamps justifies his choices by the continuity of his project of ” Reoxygenation » of the French team, started after the euro. “Among those who made the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, half of the holders are no longer there. Hence the fact of seeing new players, giving them playing time, ”he explains. Nevertheless, this opening to new talents is accompanied by a rigor in the selection: “ Group oxygenation is not bringing players and saying: “You look and play ten minutes.” »»
For Rayan Cherki, this fierce competition within the Blues seems to repel his entry on the international scene. But with its undeniable talent and its potential, the Lyonnais could force Deschamps's hand earlier than expected, or choose another path, that of the Algerian selection.
