“Cherki was recalled today even though you did not select him on Thursday, why this change?
It just makes sense, he was with us for a while. He wasn’t on the starting list so he has things to work on and prove. He gave a small response to Toulouse (3-2 for OL, 1 goal and 1 assist), it was the Rayan Cherki we want to see. He was then honest in his post-match reaction, fair and humble. We like to see Cherki play, but he has to be efficient and consistent. He loves football and he knows what he has to do to get back to the forefront.
The letter from Real Madrid announcing that it will not release its players, does that promise a headache in view of the Olympics?
That’s always been the case in fact… When I arrived, I spoke about the coach before (Sylvain Ripoll) and the difficulty of his task. I suspected it. Clubs abroad don’t see the situation the way we do. So for them, it’s no. I suspected it, but I generally don’t stop at the first no. We will try to see what we can do, but in the end, and unfortunately, the decision comes down to the club, because the Olympics are not on FIFA dates. You can’t bluff without having the cards in hand.
How do you anticipate all this?
There are many branches on the tree. We have to discuss and probe everyone a little because we don’t know when we will have a yes, a no… The only thing we are sure of is that we won’t is sure of nothing. And even if the yes comes, and the player in question changes club, or changes coach? So yes can become a no. So, you have to plan for a lot of situations, even if you knew it. The Olympic Games are not a FIFA date, so it becomes really difficult for me, for the player… But if it becomes a FIFA date, then it’s much easier. Maybe it will have to become one.
At this gathering, are you aiming to see new players, or to put your game in place for the Olympics?
We hadn’t seen the 2001s yet so we had to see them. But we also have other players that we wanted to see like Désiré Doué. We have to look at how we are going to play, how they play at club, these are a lot of parameters… But afterward the philosophy will remain the same, that is to say have the ball, press. There are things to resolve too, in view of the last two matches, such as the management of opposing counterattacks. We lost Warren (Zaire-Emery) and (Johann) Lepenant so we have to resolve that.
“Euro then Olympics? Everything is possible. But I always come back to the same thing: the clubs will decide”
Are you going to take advantage of this truce at Clairefontaine to try to convince certain players to participate in the Olympics?
Before the Olympics, there is the Euro, and we must not mix everything up. It’s good to have huge enthusiasm for the Olympics, but first, Didier Deschamps, the boss, has to make the Euro. And it’s complicated to talk to certain players about the Olympics when they have a deadline beforehand. Afterwards, in April, we will travel yes… We will try to go see the clubs after a victory rather than after a defeat (laughs).
Euro and Olympics, is it possible to do both for you?
Everything is possible. But I always come back to the same thing: the clubs will decide. And after that, yes it can become impossible.
Would the Olympics in Paris without Mbappé be a disaster?
You have to ask Mr. Estanguet. We try to have the best team. But without being certain. Everyone wants to come, but whether they will be able to is another debate.
Wednesday will take place the draw, do you know your potential opponents?
We looked, but they too will change a lot between now and the Olympics. I know some coaches from having played against them. We have no certainty about us so it’s complicated to have any certainty about our opponents, even if we observe and we watched the qualifications, yes.
Do you know which positions you would like to call players over 23 years old to?
I already know the positions, yes. But I don’t know the players. What positions? It will remain secret. But it can also change during the week, if some people perform in certain positions…”
2024-03-18 16:24:10
#Thierry #Henry #bluff #cards #hand
