Kylian Mbappe has the communication qualities to be France captain, but Didier Deschamps will not take his recent appearance as Paris Saint-Germain skipper into account when deciding who will succeed Hugo Lloris.
Lloris retirement from international football has left Les Bleus in need of a new captain, with Mbappe receiving the backing of the goalkeeper.
Speaking to Telefoot last week, Lloris said: There is one player that is becoming more powerful in every aspect on and off the pitch and even in the functioning of the dressing room – it s Kylian Mbappe.
France face Netherlands in qualifying for Euro 2024 on Friday, and Deschamps faced repeated questions about the identity of the new captain in his press conference on Monday.
I m going to use these first few days with the group to discuss it with the players concerned, said Deschamps, having offered a similar reply last week.
Obviously, Kylian is one of those players. So, you ll know a bit more the next time I see you. In other words, the day before the game, on Thursday.
I think if he [Mbappe] has one quality, in addition to all his other qualities, it s that he s someone who is pretty good, very good at communication. So, I don t think that s a problem on that side. But, well, I can t tell you any more because I haven t decided today.
L équipe est au complet !
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance)
Mbappe was PSG captain on Sunday as they suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Rennes.
Deschamps added: I have a habit, and it is not now that I will change, for each player when they are in their club, I do not have the ins and outs.
Of course, I watch the games. But Kylian s situation or any player s situation at club level is not the same as the one he has here with the national team, so it will not be a way for me to choose.
It involves more thorough discussions. There are different forms of captaincy. It s a responsibility, he s put forward. There are different forms or rather possibilities, with some players more or less expressive.
I m not going to look at the details because you also have to take into account the situation in which the club may find itself. These are elements that I don t have. It s not my daily routine.
So, that s the responsibility of Christophe Galtier, his staff and his club. That s not part of my thinking.
