Anthony Martial has had the most prolific season in his career as the center-forward of the Red Devils. With 15 goals scored in 31 matches, all competitions combined, the native of Massy (Essonne) finally seems to be confirming that he is no longer the simple Golden Boy he won in 2015 after his season in Monaco.
Finally spared by injuries and the scandalous press, the 24-year-old striker remains on three achievements in his last three games (Chelsea (2-0), Bruges (1-1) and Watford (3-0)). His trainer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is counting a lot on the Frenchman this season: "I am delighted with his week," said the Norwegian technician. He has suffered a lot of criticism and I am surely one of those who criticize him the most because I ask him to do several things. But this week, he scored real center-forward goals. Head against Chelsea, then he did everything on his goal against Bruges by defending and recovering the ball. And there he did what he can do best: technical gestures. Sometimes what he does is amazing. But I want more, I expect more from him, I'm always on his back ”.
No Blues match since March 2018
Versatility and regularity that have no doubt been noticed by Didier Deschamps. After the injuries of Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman, Moussa Sissoko, the still awaited return of Florian Thauvin and the bad shape of Thomas Lemar, Anthony Martial could have his chance for the friendly matches of the French team against Ukraine ( March 27, at the Stade de France) and Finland (March 31, at the Groupama Stadium).
“Anthony has been part of the France team for many years, regularly. Since then, it has been less so, he has often been injured, braked, he has had a lot of injuries, explained Didier Deschamps at the last rally in Clairefontaine. I wanted to call him two, three times but he couldn't answer the rally. (…) He has been among the players for a long time who are likely to be summoned and to come with us, even if this is not the case at this meeting ”.
A return to the French Team would be a reward for his good performances this season, he who had not been selected at the 2018 World Cup. However, the OL-trained striker must continue his momentum to be retained at the Euro, and this requires qualification in the knockout stages of the Europa League against Bruges this Thursday (1-1 on the way).
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