Do you have to play abroad to be called up to the France team? At the very least, it helps, is convinced Florian Maurice. Questioned at length in The Team this Wednesday, the sports director of Stade Rennais admits that he does not understand why he has never received a call from a member of the staff of the Blues to find out about Martin Terrier or Benjamin Bourigeaud, who have been shining for several seasons now in Brittany. “I find that a bit surprising,” he says bluntly.
Obviously, Maurice bows to the results of Didier Deschamps, who reached the World Cup final for the second time in a row. But that does not prevent him from questioning the why and how of certain choices, and he admits to fearing for the future of French clubs if the players believe that they are less likely to be called up by staying in the country. .
“This is not necessarily the right message”
“Terrier is a boy who would have deserved, at least, to be seen. Among others. He was top Kolo Muani, he made an exceptional entry. I’m not criticizing the level of the player, he’s a great player. But I had heard: to go to the France team, you have to have experience, to have played in the European Cup! Martin Terrier has played all three (C1, C3, C4), so what is needed? [Jouer à l’étranger ?] We are there, here we are, believes Maurice. We manage to retain Martin Terrier last summer, who is not going to a Premier League club. And there, what message are you sending to French players, in fact? Go away abroad to play in the France team? This is not necessarily the right message. »
If he was frustrated, Terrier in any case did not show anything, assures the former head of recruitment for OL. He is now focused on the second half of the season at Stade Rennais, currently third in Ligue 1.