Has he been packed up in bubble wraps yet???
Given that France got knocked out so early from the U21s, what are the chances of some of those players now being selected for the senior squad? Camavinga, Auoar, Konate, Upamecano, Meslier etc?
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@Kopstar I think the squad has already been decided. I was surprised Upamecano wasnât in, but apparently they have loads of good ones.
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Deschamps does lean more towards âtried and testedâ, heâs more conservative with his choices and likes to keep consistency. It was obvious in other cases as well, namely Laporte, who didnât even manage one appearance (or call up). CB is really an area where they have loads of options.
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An interview with âIbouâ that confirms the things Iâve said about him here and there. Itâs in French and Iâve left it as such as you loose a lot in translation. Thereâs other on line sources of this interview, Iâve even seen one in English but it leaves out quite a lot. When you read this you can understand what attracted Klopp, his volontĂ© to progress is evident.
Interview was done a year and a half ago.
https://www.onzemondial.com/bundesliga/exclu-ibrahima-konate-interview-rb-leipzig-sochaux-177842
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I think the deadline for squad announcements is today (1 June) - hence Gareth needs to announce his final squad England squad today.
Deshamps has already set out his final squad for the Euros about 10 days ago (Benzema back in was the big news). There are rules that would allow replacements to be selected, say where someone picks up an injury. Lets hope that pre-tournament, the French CBs stay fit. Even then, as Upamecano played more football last season, suspect heâd get the shout before Konate.
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I do find it interesting that Konate was captain over the more experienced Upemecamo and othersâŠ
What were we just discussing about expectations? I give you Example A.
Lol
Here we go and so it begins. Should be a fun season!
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I ainât knocking him just an observation. I donât hold crazy levels of expectations for a 21/22 year old centre half.
Yeah I wasnât picking on you personally @Euphoria.
Just have seen some mild histrionics the last 24 hours as a result of that match. Every move this young man makes will be under intense scrutiny and discussion from our supporters that arenât familiar with his playing style.
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Oh okay no problem.
Yeah thatâs the big thing about making moves to top teams, expectations. Some can handle it some canât. Will be difficult for a young man like him in a very punishing position. Hopefully no major errors in his first games so he can build confidence and get the fans proper behind him.
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Heâs gonna be a very good player for us.
Very fast, very strong, very good in the air. Proactive in the tackle/interception, decent on the ball, not afraid to bring it out from the back either.
He is good right now, and since 21-22 is very young for a central defender, itâs reasonable to assume there will be more improvement to come, both individually, and then especially in learning how to play the way Klopp wants him to as part of the unit.
Bring it on.
And I might add, we need a signing like this for the strikers too - someone who is good right now and can come in and do well, but then they also have lots of improvement to come and could conceivably take the place of one of the world class players we have up front, in time.
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No, he can get a vacation, these are the 26 from France.
Selectie Frankrijk EK 2021
Doelmannen: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Milan)
Verdedigers: Lucas Digne (Everton), Léo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris), Jules Koundé (Sevilla), Clément Lenglet (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Middenvelders: NâGolo KantĂ© (Chelsea), Thomas Lemar (AtlĂ©tico Madrid), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern)
Aanvallers: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Paris), Marcus Thuram (Mönchengladbach)
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Maybe because Konate was already there for the first part of the tournament, Upamecano was called up for the second part (donât know why that was allowed, but there you go).
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Cool that he seems to want to get really into the club ! 
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Seen they had balloons saying Konate 5 at his house. Must be our new number 5
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Underwhelmed. Sing it!
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Heâs our centre half
Heâs our number five
Does all the defending
While the others skive
Heâll pass the ball
Not hoof out of play
Ibrahim K
Ibrahim K
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