Medhi Benatia spoke of “somewhat borderline behavior” in February, when he discussed the case of Jonathan Clauss in a series of explosive interviews. If the form was not necessarily the most appropriate, the Frenchman’s exit against Atalanta Bergamo (3-0), Thursday, in the semi-final second leg of the Europa League, gave us some indications on what he wanted to highlight words of the OM sports advisor that evening. Inside and out of his depth, like his team, the French international also conveyed the feeling of being little concerned in certain sequences.
If we had to pick one, it would probably be the one from the 33rd minute. After a failed clearance and offering a goal action to Ruggeri, the French international displayed body language that left something to be desired: he raised his hand to ask the referee for something, stopped short, then returned to walking while his team had their heads underwater and were close to conceding the 2-0 goal. Moreover, his mediocre performance earned him a rating of 2.5/10 from the FM Editorial Team.
Not in the period of his life 5 days from the list for the Euro
It must be said, the period of emptiness experienced by Clauss in recent months, and prolonged with his ischio injury in March, has not favored his development either. If there was a nice break at the end of April, against Nice (2-2), with his superb goal, the ex-Lensois quickly plunged back. Enough to call into question his place at Euro 2024, when Didier Deschamps will announce his list next Thursday? Probably not. The Blues coach has renewed his confidence in him during the last three meetings, and he has often highlighted his player’s progress.
“In line with what he does with his club, he has this technical ability to not be bothered with the ball and to project himself into the offensive phase. It’s something interesting. He was with us before the World Cup but regularly played a supporting role at the club. There, he is more of a full-back, he knows his subject well with a different profile from those who have played here until now”, had praised DD after the Blues’ victory against the Netherlands in October (1-2). Furthermore, Deschamps has often reaffirmed that he already has a precise idea of his group for the tournament, evoking “a hard core of 18 to 19 players”of which Clauss is probably one.
Historically, DD has also often relied on the latest outings of its players in the selection, without taking into account their situation at club (see: Giroud). But beyond an offensive profile that is difficult to find in France, what also works in favor of the Marseillais is the absence of real competition. Called to become the future right-back of the Blues, Malo Gusto has just returned from injury, when Sacha Boey, another contender for the position, saw his season cut short at Bayern. Sildillia and Diakité still seem too green for the A, while Mukiele has never really convinced Deschamps. It remains to be seen what role Clauss will occupy in Germany although the main focus will surely lie elsewhere for the 31-year-old. With a football profile from below, the one who played in the 5th German division 10 years ago will be satisfied with a place in the group. Even more so after the disillusionment of 2022, which he struggled to digest.
