What if the hierarchy were to change among the goalkeepers of the France team? The level displayed this season by Alphonse Areola could make Didier Deschamps think.
With the international retirement of Hugo Lloris announced just after the 2022 World Cup, the France team found a successor to the goalkeeper position in Mike Maignan. Particularly convincing on the pitch with the tricolor jersey, the AC Milan goalkeeper, however, experienced some small failures in front of the Milan cage. His fragile physique also left him on the sidelines on several occasions. Among the Blues, his runner-up in the hierarchy, Brice Samba, no longer displays the same level as a few months ago. Any benefit for Alphonse Aréola?
If there is currently little chance of him becoming number one, the West Ham goalkeeper can hope to regain the number two place with the Blues. This is the thesis that Anthony Clément supported this Tuesday, on the set of the channel The Team. “ Last year he was a substitute at West Ham, but he won the Europa Conference League (Areola was a starter during the competition, editor’s note). And that changed this summer since Lukasz Fabianski, who was number one, went number two, and he went the opposite way. »
Euro too close?
According to the journalist, things could also change on the side of the France team. “ He is very consistent and very strong. The festive period was particularly flattering for him because there was this match against Arsenal which left its mark, but he had already been very good against Manchester United. And when we talk about a change of status, he has already done it in club, so why not in selection. He has seniority on his side. As for Deschamps, it wouldn’t be a revolution. It was Brice Samba who overtook him after an exceptional season with Lens. There, Brice Samba has come down a little from his cloud, Areola is higher than last year, so the curves can cross. »
The final choice will obviously come down to Didier Deschamps, but the reflection must surely be there for the French coach and his staff. For Anthony Clément in any case, “ it would not shock anyone (to see Alphonse Areola) become number two in the France team. » The fact remains that as Euro 2024 approaches, and while the Blues only have one more meeting before the competition, Didier Deschamps could favor stability and a status quo in the hierarchy of his goalkeepers.
