The lack of real preparation for the 2022 World Cup: “We have two meetings. We have these four these matches in June. And then we have two matches at the end of September. The World Cup is only in November but it will come quickly. Since we have no preparation with friendly matches before the competition, these meetings must serve us for what awaits us. We are far without being far. These six matches should serve as rehearsal and preparation for the World Cup.
The difficulty of playing matches in June: “It’s a period when the seasons are over. Those who are not international are already on vacation. It is therefore already a special period. We haven’t always had official matches. We had friendly matches and tours. We are also confronted with a disparity on the athletic level with players who will not have played for three weeks, other fortnights… It is not ideal. There, we have four matches. We are not going to work miracles concerning the physical condition of each other. We are going to make sure to erase the physical differences to have the whole group in the best conditions for the first match [against Denmark on June 3 at 8:45 p.m., editor’s note].”
The distribution of playing time: “We will think about the first game. But we are going to make sure that the players do not chain the first three matches. We will try to distribute the playing time.
Nations League: “I don’t regret the introduction of the Nations League instead of friendlies. Over the years, it is more and more difficult to find opponents available to play friendly matches. Nothing replaces competition. We had the good fortune to win the League of Nations last fall. For you [the journalists, editor’s note], for the public, there is always more interest when there is a competition with an objective. It’s better to play a competition than to go on tour.
Champions League final: “We didn’t organize anything special. Of course, we will watch it together. After if players want to watch it in their room or in a group. Everyone has their own choice and affinities. It’s the last big game of every season with a European Championship title on the line. Some of them who are here. So we’ll be watching what’s going on. It is difficult to release a favorite more than another.
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The complicated seasons of Antoine Griezmann and Raphaël Varane: “All the players who are there may have had a less good period with their club for different reasons. At all meetings in the France team, there is this situation: players in great shape, others a little less well. But they find another environment different from their daily life. I haven’t seen players come to camp and not be happy. The most important thing for us is to have a unity taking into account the differences that there may be between the players.
On the playing time of attacking players: “If Olivier Giroud is not with us, it is to give more playing time to the three players who are called up regularly, namely Christopher Nkunku, Moussa Diaby and Wissam Ben Yedder. I will make sure to concern everyone. They will be able to harden themselves, acquire additional experience. It will give me additional indications in relation to the final list that I will have to make for the World Cup.
Karim Benzema and the Ballon d’Or race: “For Karim Benzema who will join us, it’s better if he can come with a European championship title. And obviously in the race for an individual reward like the Ballon d’Or, already with everything he has done this season, if he has this title in addition, it can only go in the right direction for him. »
The future of Aurélien Tchouaméni: “Many players are coveted, many will have to change clubs this summer. Aurélien Tchouaméni is one of the players solicited by major clubs. In the discussions that I may have with them, I am not there to give them advice. I can give my opinion but taking into account that it is their decision, their career choice. In absolute terms, there is no wrong choice. It’s up to them to make sure it goes as well as possible.”
Kylian Mbappé’s extension to Paris SG: “It’s his choice. I’m not going to go into the ins and outs. He had time to think. Obviously, that he stays in Ligue 1 is a very good thing for French football and the influence that Ligue 1 can have abroad. It’s his club. He said what he had to say.”
The maturity of young players: “It’s the new generation. This is not valid only in football. A 19-year-old wants everything right away and that may seem presumptuous. They go to the big clubs and they give themselves the means to succeed. There is on the field but also outside, which is an important part.
Boubacar Kamara’s choice: “Going to Aston Villa is his choice. He had the freedom to choose because he was at the end of his contract. He is having a very good season. He too, being young, has a lot of maturity and a certain versatility in his game. He was very regular, very used, in a role not always highlighted but important in the stability of a team. He will discover another championship. Aston Villa is not part of the Premier League, it is a stage for him. It’s something different. I don’t have all the elements that led him to make this decision.
