Nobody saw it coming. But N’Golo Kanté, world champion in 2018 where he formed an exceptional pair with Paul Pogba, is back with the France team. Didier Deschamps made the Al-Ittihad midfielder his big surprise on the list for Euro 2024 (June 14 – July 14), he who had already recalled Karim Benzema for the last Euro.
Kanté’s last match with the France team dates back to June 3, 2022 and a defeat against Denmark in the Nations League. Obviously, seeing the 33-year-old return to blue may raise questions.
“He has athletic abilities and he has rediscovered them”
“I can understand that the supporters of the France team did not follow the journey of N’Golo Kanté who was coming out of a 2022-2023 season where he played very little with a serious injury. If that hadn’t been the case, he would have been part of the World Cup in Doha. He had a full season, certainly not in a European championship since he was in Saudi Arabia where he regained all his physical abilities. And because of his experience, his experience, I am convinced that the French team will be stronger with him,” explained Didier Deschamps to Gilles Bouleau.
Asked about Kanté’s trademark, that of recovering countless balls each match, Didier Deschamps praised the qualities of the former Chelsea midfielder. “He has athletic abilities and he has found them again. He had a full season playing a lot of matches. Afterwards, we can discuss the specific intensity in Saudi Arabia where the high temperature and humidity lead to second halves where the pace is perhaps a little lower. But he played more than 4,000 minutes, that’s more than 40 matches! I have no doubt about what was his strength. And we add the intelligence he has in the game and the experience, because he was part of the group in Russia. »
“NG, she’s an angel”
In the press conference following the announcement of the list, the subject of “NG” was raised. Convinced of the qualities of his midfielder on the pitch, the coach also praised his state of mind. “No matter the situation, for him, there is never a problem. Beyond his footballing abilities, he is an angel. Everyone likes him,” smiled Didier Deschamps.
Asked about the role that Kanté could play in the group, Didier Deschamps did not rule out anything. “It has no guarantee. He knew he was in ‘Republic reserve’, but something concrete was needed. He is very happy to come back. To be honest, all seven midfielders can start. I’m not going to complain about it. NG will have the place he deserves or that we give him. He has a status, and that weighs,” explains the man who decided to take Kanté for the Euro “a good week” ago.
