Florian Thauvin's strong season with RC Lens has sparked debate about his potential return to the French national team, despite his age and competition for spots.
Thauvin's strong season with RC Lens
Florian Thauvin, 33, has been performing well for RC Lens in Ligue 1 this season, scoring four goals and making eight key passes in eight matches. His form has brought renewed attention to his possible return to the French national team.Thauvin's stance on national team selection
Thauvin, who was part of the 2018 World Cup-winning French squad, has spoken about his desire to return to international football. However, he has emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the national team coach, stating he must "give himself all the chances on my side."Dugarry highlights Zidane's selection style
Christophe Dugarry, a former French international and current analyst on RMC, believes Thauvin has a good chance of being called up. He pointed to Zinedine Zidane's coaching philosophy, which favors players in good form and with a positive attitude, citing the recent inclusion of Lepaul as an example.Grenier raises concerns about Thauvin's age
Clément Grenier, a Ligue 1+ analyst, acknowledges Thauvin's current form but cautions that his age could be a factor in the national team selection process. At 33, he may not be seen as a long-term solution for France's attacking needs.Competition for national team spots
Grenier also noted that Thauvin faces fierce competition in his position. Several younger and emerging talents, including Michael Olise, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappé, and Désiré Doué, are all vying for places in France's attacking lineup.