This Thursday, at 2 p.m., Didier Deschamps will reveal his list for the next gathering of the French team. The coach of Les Bleus is preparing his team for two friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire and then South Africa. If surprises are rare in the lists called by the coach, the presence of Alban Lafont, FC Nantes goalkeeper, among the three goalkeepers selected would not be one. Here are five reasons that prove that Didier Deschamps must call the Canaries goalkeeper for this gathering of the Blues.
His coach believes in it
We had already talked about it last December: Alban Lafont is certainly having his best season. With FC Nantes, the doorman continues to progress under the orders of Antoine Kombouaré. The coach of the Canaries has also made him a serious candidate for the French team: “If he continues like this, I have no doubt that Deschamps has an eye on him. He was part of the Hopes for a very long time. It’s up to him to do what it takes to knock on the door, ”he said at the end of last year. He even made him the captain of his team. A role that suits him perfectly, since he has taken his responsibilities. “When I arrived, I found a goalkeeper in difficulty, who was doubtful. Like the team. This year, on the other hand, it is a great Alban. »
He is the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1
The sports daily The Team awarded him an average of 6.04/10 since the start of the season. This is the best average score of Ligue 1 goalkeepers. Indeed, Alban Lafont has become more regular in his performance, more constant. This season, he has produced eight clean sheets, already much more than the 2020-2021 season (3). Another performance from Nantes: he stopped two penalties this season, against Lille and PSG. The 23-year-old goalkeeper is often decisive. In Lorient, Lille or at the start of the season in Angers, Alban Lafont showed himself to be imperial on his line and in his outings, an area where he has clearly progressed. “Right now, to score a goal in Alban, you have to be strong,” said his Nantes coach after the victory against Montpellier (2-0) on March 6.
A new course against PSG
Alban Lafont is also capable of exceptional performances. The one against PSG (FCN 3-1 victory) is an illustration of this. In this somewhat crazy match, the FCN goalkeeper saved his team on multiple occasions. Facing the Parisian attacking trio: Messi-Neymar-Mbappé, he made eight decisive saves and disgusted the opposing attackers at La Beaujoire. That evening, he also blocked a penalty from Neymar. Proof that Alban Lafont also brings points to his team. This exceptional match against PSG even earned him a score of 10/10 in The Team. A fact rare enough to be underlined. Especially for a goalkeeper.
Struggling competitors
If Mike Maignan, goalkeeper of AC Milan, seems to have established himself as the understudy of Hugo Lloris in the cages of the French team, the place of number 3 seems accessible today for Alban Lafont. Not only because the Nantes goalkeeper proves it through his performances. But also because its main competitors are struggling. Alphonse Areola and Steve Mandanda hardly play with West Ham and Marseille. Benoit Costil has been injured since January and is having a difficult time with the Girondins de Bordeaux. Finally, Illan Meslier, a young goalkeeper from Leeds, is struggling with his team, the worst defense in the Premier League (65 goals conceded). There may still be a place for Paul Bernardoni, who is still in worse shape than Alban Lafont.
Preparing for the future
This position of goalkeeper No. 3 is also an opportunity for Didier Deschamps to prepare for the future. Casually, Hugo Lloris will be 36 at the end of the year, and Mandanda will soon be 37. At only 23 years old, Alban Lafont already has nearly 250 games on the clock. He has also been selected for the Espoirs in the past. A presence in the list of Deschamps could then be a logical continuation. Answer this Thursday at 2 p.m., before two friendly matches for the Blues: against Côte d’Ivoire on Friday March 25 (Marseille), then against South Africa, in Lille, on March 29.