For 48 hours, most of the Blues selected by Didier Deschamps have joined Clairefontaine. Karim Benzema, back after more than five years of absence, and his partners attacked the twenty days of preparation for the Euro. Two friendly matches are on the program (Wales, June 2, Bulgaria, June 8) before their entry into contention against Germany on June 15 in Munich. Until then, the players of the France team will remain in their bubble, in strict compliance with health rules although all staff members are vaccinated, just like Kylian Mbappé. The PSG striker has chosen to have a free spirit on this subject. On the other hand, the question of its future remains on everyone's lips.
Bondy's hope still hasn't extended when his contract in Paris ends in a year.
His situation is not unlike that of Antoine Griezmann, before the 2018 World Cup. The Barcelona player played at Atlético de Madrid.
He was already courted by Barca and chose to announce his decision to stay at Madrid in a video released just days before the tournament started.
Before him, Thomas Lemar, also present among the 23, had signed up with the Colchoneros in full preparation.
Without forgetting Nabil Fekir.
So in Lyon, he had obtained the agreement of the staff of the Blues to pass his medical examination with Liverpool at Clairefontaine before seeing his transfer fail.
Maignan is preparing "with a free head"
This is not new. Before a big competition - World or Euro, the transfer window comes back regularly in the debates. This is still the case this year since in addition to the highly anticipated decision of Mbappé, other players of the selection are concerned. Mike Maignan, the third goalkeeper of the Blues, has already recorded his future. After a masterful season in Lille, the recent French champion will join AC Milan. The Italian club formalized his transfer this Thursday against 15 million euros, until 2026.
“It's much easier for it to be done now,” says Maignan.
The Euro is coming, it's better to prepare with a free head while remaining focused on the France team.
But again, it's on a case-by-case basis.
Raphaël Varane, for example, assures us that “this is not the moment” to talk about his future.
“I am focused on the objectives for the French team.
I will not discuss this subject every day in my room at Clairefontaine.
All in good time, ”he told the press briefing on Thursday.
For the Madrilenian, the phone could however continue to ring in the coming days, even if "ideally and for the tranquility of the group" Didier Deschamps would like his players to be fixed before the start of the European Championship.
Seven Blues at the end of their contract next year
The coach is not fooled so far. “This is never the case, he regrets. There is always a window, a possible opening. It was the case for some of them during the World Cup in Russia. It's up to the player to live it well, at most I will give them an opinion. When we are in the competition, peace and serenity are important but we are not immune to having a decision made after the start of the competition. "
In total, seven players from the France team are at the end of their contract next year in their respective clubs (Lloris, Varane, Pogba, Benzema, Tolisso, Dembélé, Mbappé). Olivier Giroud, second top scorer in the history of the Blues (44 goals) behind Michel Platini (51), is him at the end of his contract this summer at Chelsea and would have touches in Italy (AC Milan). After five years at Manchester United, Paul Pogba could also give a new direction to his career.
Finally, it will be good to follow the evolution of the situation of Barcelona's Ousmane Dembélé and Antoine Griezmann. There are many uncertainties at all levels, faced with a market that promises to be active despite the health crisis. The staff of the Blues is aware of this. He can use the experience of 2018 to ensure that this does not pollute the preparation of the tricolor squad.
