All posts tagged: NGolo

N’Golo Kante Returns From Wilderness As Didier Deschamps Announces France Euro 2024 Squad

Published by Webster

World champion N’Golo Kante will make a surprise return to international football as France coach Didier Deschamps announced Thursday the 25 players that will make up the French squad at Euro 2024. Kante left English side Chelsea last summer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad and has not represented France since June 2022. “He played a full season (Kante struggled with injury during his time with Chelsea), albeit not in a European league, as he is in Saudi Arabia,” said Deschamps on French TV channel TF1. “He’s back to full fitness. With his experience, I’m convinced that the French team will be stronger with N’Golo Kante.” The 2018 World Cup winner was the big surprise in Deschamps’ squad, but the 33-year-old’s experience will doubtless be a help to youngsters Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who also made the squad after fine seasons at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Winger Barcola, 21, is the only uncapped player in the squad but forced his way in with a strong finish to the season, impressing particularly …

Injured France Star Compares Antoine Griezmann With N’Golo Kante After Semi-Final Heroics

Published by Webster

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the semi-final of FIFA World Cup 2022.© AFP Antoine Griezmann has been exceptional for France in the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, playing a different role to what most football fans are used to. The 31-year-old has generally featured in attack over the years, behind the front two of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud. However, Griezmann has put on brilliant performances as a box-to-box midfielder, and his defensive side of the game has not gone unnoticed. France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the semi-final on Thursday to set up a final clash with Argentina. Notably, France came into the tournament without star midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who are both out injured. Following Les Blues’ win over the Atlas Lions, Pogba compared Griezmann with Kante, following his reinvention as a ball-winning midfielder during the tournament. “Griezmannkante,” Pogba wrote on his Instagram story, along with a thinking emoji. Griezmann picked up the player of the match award for his performance against Morocco. Notably, Pogba and Kante played a huge role …