In a right-back position where no one has imposed his law, and where the young shoots do not push too much, Jonathan Clauss scored points for the Blues on Friday in the Netherlands (1-2) with a successful performance punctuated by a decisive pass. “I’m no longer here to just look cute on TV,” said the Marseillais, back in the French team for his 7th selection, the third as a starter.
Back after the immense disappointment of his non-selection for the World Cup in Qatar, Clauss entered the pitch of the Johann-Cruyff Arena without complexes on Friday, perhaps vindictive: voluntary, restless, he was decisive technical accuracy offensively. The former player from Avranches (2016-2017) and Quevilly-Rouen (2017-2018), returned to Blue less impressed than during his debut: “the dream is over (…), I left the emotions next to. »
Tranquility and verticalization
For the first goal of Kylian Mbappé’s double, it was he who crossed perfectly for the Parisian striker’s volley (7th). The whole action is indicative of the danger Clauss brought into the Dutch camp. Overflowing in his lane, Clauss combined well in a one-two with Kingsley Coman, his evening sidekick on the right, before being shifted by Antoine Griezmann, to finish with the decisive cross.
“It was his return, he was as he is, with a lot of technical ease,” greeted Deschamps. He is a full-back carried forward, (…) he exudes tranquility and always this ability to verticalize. » Verticalize, as on this other overflow, where the full-back could have been decisive again with a well-balanced cross for Randal Kolo Muani, who with a too timid header failed to convert the opportunity (38th).
Gusto at fault on the Dutch goal
But unlike Koundé or Pavard, who are less inclined to overflow, it is above all defensive guarantees that Clauss must provide to stay in the long term: “he has a fair balance to have,” explained Deschamps. “The coach spoke to me about it, the defensive aspect was more important than the offensive, but it’s part of my game, I don’t know if I scored any points but I’m quite happy,” smiled the native of Strasbourg.
When the Batavians thought of reducing the score by Malen (55th), Clauss was far from being blameless: caught behind his back, the ex-Lensois was saved from nothing by an offside from centerman Nathan Aké. When he came out in the 80th minute, however, the facts worked in his favor: his replacement Malo Gusto, who was celebrating his first selection, was at fault on the Dutch goal (along with goalkeeper Mike Maignan).
“There are unfortunately not many players trained as full-backs, it is not easy to find, and it is certainly an area for improvement in training,” Deschamps underlined last week. But exactly eight months before the Euro, time is running out and Clauss definitely has a good card to play.