Mike Maignan will play against the Netherlands on Friday, his very first match as number 1 goalkeeper for the France team. A natural transition after the international retirement of Hugo Lloris.
Some international pensions are more difficult to digest than others. When Hugo Lloris, player with the most caps and who has worn the captain’s armband the most in the history of the France team, announced his international retirement on January 9, nostalgia could have mixed with concern. on the future of the goalkeeper position with the Blues. Nothing happened, because the succession appeared obvious.
Mike Maignan will start against the Netherlands on Friday March 24, his second life in Blue. “The position of number 1 obviously goes to Mike Maignan”, said Didier Deschamps on Monday, during the first day of the rally in Clairefontaine. In reality, the coach did not really need to specify it. Although injured in the calf and absent from the World Cup in Qatar, the AC Milan goalkeeper knew his time was coming with the withdrawal of Lloris.
Firstly because during the year 2022, a little music has become more and more insistent. What if Maignan dethroned Lloris even before the World Cup and occupied the position of number 1 in Qatar? The question was asked several times during the months preceding the World Cup to the coach, who was content to kick into touch. “I am lucky to have two very good goalkeepers available“, assured the coach in March.
“He has the makings of an international goalkeeper”
To prepare for the succession he saw coming, Didier Deschamps still rotated last year. Mike Maignan thus played a match in March then two in June, exactly like the doorman of Tottenham. A way to prepare the 27-year-old goalkeeper for international games, to better anticipate what’s next: “It is also important, even if he is used to the high level with Milan, to have an experience“.
“He brings his character, he is a leader at heart and he transmits all that around him and to the group.”
Raphaël Varane, in March 2022at a press conference
On closer inspection, the former Lille goalkeeper indeed has few references at a very high level: only five selections and twelve Champions League matches. “But he has the makings of an international goalkeeper.”retorts Lionel Charbonnier, former goalkeeper of the France team (a selection) and 1998 world champion. Since his arrival at AC Milan last year, Mike Maignan has been voted best goalkeeper in the Italian championship and has greatly helped his club to win Serie A.
The tifosi quickly became attached to the one who appeared at Losc in Ligue 1, and pined for his absence through injury for a large part of the first half of the season. Back for a few weeks, the French international reassured about his level of play, with in particular a great performance against Tottenham in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Competition not yet at the international level
“He reminds me a lot of Bernard Lama. It’s a cat. He is comfortable in aerial outings, he is reassuring in his ball grips“, describes Lionel Charbonnier, who adds that he is “very reassuring for his defenders and very good at kicking“. A foot game that was lacking in Lloris and which could be a new asset for the France team. Just like the qualities of Maignan in the exercise of penalties.
In March, Raphaël Varane, who has also retired from international football, added another quality to the French goalkeeper’s palette: “He brings his character, he is a leader at heart and he transmits all that around him and to the group..” At 27, Mike Maignan therefore has all the cards in hand to impose himself over time in a position of number 1 goalkeeper occupied for thirteen years by Hugo Lloris.
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“He will still have to confirm with the Blues“, warns Lionel Charbonnier. “But if he is efficient, it will be complicated for the others.” Because the competition behind him is not yet at international level. Alphonse Aréola is a substitute at West Ham. Brice Samba, summoned for the first time to the Blues, discovers life in Clairefontaine during this gathering.
Behind them, Alban Lafont, Lucas Chevalier and Ilan Meslier are three young goalkeepers who could play for the France team in the months and years to come. But from there to unbolt Maignan? “What they need is to play European Cup matches. It is very important for the future“, insists Lionel Charbonnier. In the meantime, the reign of Mike Maignan can begin. See you at the Stade de France on Friday, for his coronation against the Netherlands.