Top scorer last season in Ligue 1, Esteban Lepaul once hoped that Didier Deschamps would take him to the 2026 World Cup. This was not the case and the striker therefore had all the leisure and time to marry his partner, Inès. Already a scorer three times since the restart, the Stade Rennais player learned this week that he was part of the list of players pre-called up with the France team. Some sought to calm things down.
The Blues will indeed meet again for the first time since their match for third place in the World Cup lost to England (4-6). The opportunity for Zinédine Zidane, appointed new French coach after the end of Didier Deschamps’ contract, to prepare his first list for the four Nations League matches scheduled between September 25 and October 5.
Concerning Esteban Lepaul, Christophe Dugarry gave his opinion. The RMC consultant felt that things should not be rushed. “There is so much uncertainty. Even for (Esteban) Lepaul, I don’t think that would be a good thing. Because you change your status and environment. People look at you differently. He still needs to improve. »
Christophe Dugarry not enthusiastic for Esteban Lepaul
Clearly not completely convinced, the 1998 world champion continued. “It is essential to arrive in the French team with the necessary maturity. It’s obviously more or less early for the players, but I think he still has things to work on. Afterwards, everything he does is good, it’s great. To score so many goals… He’s on a good streak. But I think it’s still a little tender. (…) I say that in relation to the game that I see him (playing). I think he still has progress to make, on a higher technical level. »
And Christophe Dugarry concludes in the same tone.
“Going from Ligue 1 to the French team, I’m sorry, it’s beautiful, the story is beautiful, but you have to have exceptional qualities to do that. He is very, very good, he is very, very strong, but I think he still needs to improve in certain areas. »
