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Mixed martial arts Mikael Silvestre: Varane and Mbappe the Right Candidates for the Next France Captain
The French national team has been in the news in recent weeks for both good and bad reasons. It started with Didier Deschamps renewing his contract as head coach until 2026, followed by former FFF President Noel Le Graet’s interesting comments on considering Zinedine Zidane for the national coaching position and finally, Hugo Lloris announcing his retirement from international football.
To discuss these developments, we talked to former French international and five-time Premier League winner, Mikael Silvestre.
In this article:
- Hugo Lloris’ legacy for France
- Mike Maignan is Lloris’ successor in goal
- Raphael Varane and Kylian Mbappe are the right candidates to lead France after Lloris
- France is blessed with attacking options and Kylian Mbappe should lead the line
- Cannot doubt Didier Deschamps’ performances despite his team not necessarily playing the best football
- If Rennes improve their away record, they can challenge Marseille
Hugo Lloris’ legacy for France
The former defender, who amassed 40 caps for the French national team, commented on Hugo Lloris’ legacy with France, placing him in his top three of French goalkeepers.
“With Fabian Barthez, I think he’s in the top three. Joël Bats also.”
Silvestre went on to say that it was the right time for Lloris to hang up his gloves, despite thinking that the Tottenham keeper could have played well into his forties.
“For Hugo it was the right time I believe.”
“145 caps which is a record for France and he’s done everything he could to win trophies with the national team so it’s good timing for him.”
“It was his choice because he could have easily carried on and played until his forties.”
Mike Maignan is Lloris’ successor in goal
Silvestre, along with multiple analysts, has earmarked AC Milan No. 1 Mike Maignan as Lloris’ successor for the national team. He also gave a warning that after Maignan, the level of French keepers is not the same as that of Lloris and Steve Mandanda.
“Mike Maignan is the one that should come into the frame although he is injured.”
“We don’t have many options after Mike Maignan that are established goalkeepers at the level of Lloris and Mandanda.”
Raphael Varane and Kylian Mbappe are the right candidates to lead France after Lloris
With Lloris now gone from the international scene, Didier Deschamps will need to appoint a new captain and Silvestre thinks that the leadership team should be Raphael Varane and Kylian Mbappe, who he thinks are natural leaders.
“You have natural leaders like Raphael Varane and Kyllian Mbappe who are both World Cup champions and have a lot of experience with the national team.”
“They are followed by the others and have the right charisma to take the leadership.”
France is blessed with attacking options and Kylian Mbappe should lead the line
Both of France’s traditional centre-forwards, Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema are above 35 years of age and they are fast approaching the twilight of their careers.
Silvestre acknowledges this and said that Kylian Mbappe should be their successor in leading the attacking line, hinting towards him changing positions for the national side.
“Mbappe is the one. He’s the one because he’s been growing. Top goalscorer and he likes to be the leader so I think naturally he’ll be the frontrunner for France and hopefully bring everyone on together.”
“We are blessed with other key players like Coman and Dembele. Nkunku, Diaby coming through so it’s exciting for France.”
Cannot doubt Didier Deschamps’ performances despite his team not necessarily playing the best football
Didier Deschamps has seen a lot of success as France’s head coach and he extended his tenure until 2026.
Silvestre backs that decision saying that Deschamps’ results speak for themselves. He did, however, add that the quality of football from the team can improve.
“He’s been to a lot of finals. Sometimes the quality of the performance is not the best. We would like to see better football.”
“But in terms of results you can’t argue with him. He’s done amazing.”
If Rennes improve their away record, they can challenge Marseille
Ligue 1 saw a surprise result last weekend when Stade Rennais beat Paris Saint-Germain, 1-0.
Rennes are currently in fifth place in the league, on the hunt for a Champions League spot and Silvestre thinks that his former club need to improve their away form to do that when Ligue 1 resumes on January 27.
“The team has a very impressive record at home. Very, very impressive.”
“The question is can they carry these performances away from home. That is a question mark.”
“If they can do this then they should be challenging Marseille and Lens to get a Champions League spot for next season.”
He does, however, say that a Europa League spot for Rennes will be a good sign as the pressure on them to qualify for the Champions League isn’t like it is for Marseille or Lyon.
“If they end up with the Europa League then it’s not that bad for Rennes. There’s not a crazy pressure to qualify for the Champions League like there is at Lyon or Marseille.”
