Thierry Henry has never hidden his closeness and admiration towards Kylian Mbappé.
The opposite is also true.
The two men respect each other and do not hesitate to express it when the question is asked of them.
Questioned Monday at a press conference to launch the gathering of the French Olympic team, with two meetings planned against Ivory Coast and the United States, the coach of the U 23 reiterated his pleasure to see the development of 25-year-old striker at Paris SG and the Blues.
While emphasizing that the latter was not always recognized at its true value.
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“
Perhaps from time to time we are not chauvinistic enough, abroad, people envy us
,” says “Titi”.
I'm being a little smart, I'm saying that we're good
(with all the talents that French football has).
Where is the problem ?
When the English have good players, we know it.
In Italy too.
Let's be French, let's be chauvinistic.
Good luck.
It's Kylian.
» And the former record holder for goals for the French team, Arsenal legend, continued: “
I have no problem with that
(criticism towards Mbappé)
, people will always talk.
To work abroad, to live abroad, to have played abroad, I have the impression that they are more French than us sometimes.
Let's be happy that we have Kylian with us.
We watch, rewatch, analyze and over-analyze what he does, let's be happy, he is French, personally, I am
.
»
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Relaunched, in a press conference which will have mainly revolved around his selection for the Paris Olympics, on the catastrophic image that the absence of Kylian Mbappé would send, the former coach of Monaco somewhat kicked in.
“
You have to ask this question to Mr. Estanguet
(COJO boss),
I am not in this role.
We know that Kylian is going to leave
(to Real Madrid
), we will see what happens.
We want the best team, a lot of parameters come into play.
We have no certainty.
Everyone wants to come, is it possible?
That's another debate
.
»