Brice Samba Offers Support to Lucas Chevalier After France Victory
LANDOVER, MD – Following France’s 3-1 victory over Colombia in a friendly match at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, goalkeeper Brice Samba publicly voiced his support for teammate Lucas Chevalier. The win, part of a two-game mini-tour of the United States, came less than three months before the start of the World Cup, and highlighted a shift in the goalkeeping hierarchy for Les Bleus. Samba started in goal, having been preferred to Chevalier, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, a decision influenced by Chevalier’s limited playing time with his club.
Samba, speaking after the match, expressed his satisfaction with the result and the team’s performance. “It’s been, I think, two years since I last played with the French team, I’m very happy with tonight’s match, with the win,” he said, as reported by Le Parisien. “We continue to operate. It’s very positive for this gathering. It concerned everyone, except for Lucas who didn’t play.”
A Shift in the Goalkeeping Order
The decision to start Samba over Chevalier reflects a change in the pecking order for the French national team. Mike Maignan remains the undisputed number one, but Samba has moved ahead of Chevalier as the backup goalkeeper. This comes as Chevalier has seen his role diminish at PSG, where manager Luis Enrique has favored Matveï Safonov in recent matches. The lack of consistent playing time at the club level appears to have been a factor in Deschamps’ decision.
Samba’s return to the starting lineup marks a significant moment for the 31-year-vintage, who hadn’t featured for France since March 23, 2024. He earned his fourth cap on Sunday, delivering a solid performance that included key saves against James Rodriguez in the 22nd minute and Cordoba in stoppage time. His performance underscored his readiness to step in when called upon.
Supporting a Teammate Through a Difficult Period
Despite securing his position as the number two goalkeeper, Samba was quick to acknowledge Chevalier’s situation and offer his support. When pressed about Chevalier’s mindset, given he didn’t see any minutes during the mini-tour, Samba was empathetic. “Football, especially the goalkeeper position, is very difficult,” Samba explained. “There are periods that are more favorable, others less so. Lucas, we support him, we are behind him in this period. We all understand his qualities.”
Samba emphasized his commitment to supporting Maignan and being ready to contribute whenever needed. “Currently, I am number two, I will be at Mike’s service so that he is in the best possible shape. After that, if they call on me, I will try to respond as I was able to do tonight.” This statement highlights the strong team spirit within the French squad and Samba’s willingness to embrace his role.
The situation with Chevalier is particularly noteworthy given his rise through the ranks. He had been promoted to the number two spot in June 2025, but his recent lack of playing time at PSG has impacted his position within the national team setup. The competition for places in the French squad is fierce, and consistent performance at the club level is crucial for maintaining a place in Deschamps’ plans.
This friendly against Colombia served as a valuable opportunity for Deschamps to assess his squad ahead of the World Cup. The victory itself, secured by goals from Antoine Griezmann, Marcus Thuram, and a Colombian own goal, provided a positive boost. However, the dynamics within the goalkeeping department are clearly evolving, and Samba’s performance and supportive words will be key as France prepares for the tournament.
The French team will continue their preparations for the World Cup with further training sessions and potential friendly matches. The focus will be on refining tactics, building team cohesion, and ensuring that all players are in peak condition. The goalkeeping situation will undoubtedly be closely monitored, with both Samba and Chevalier vying for the opportunity to contribute to France’s success on the world stage.
For Samba, this recent run of games represents a significant opportunity to re-establish himself as a key member of the French squad. His experience and reliability will be invaluable as France navigates the challenges of the World Cup. And, importantly, his willingness to publicly support a teammate facing adversity speaks volumes about the character within the team.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the French national team is the announcement of the final World Cup squad in May. Fans will be eagerly awaiting to see which players Deschamps selects and how the goalkeeping situation unfolds in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the French national team and their preparations for the World Cup.
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