In Clairefontaine
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A real headache.
Four months before the Olympic Games, it is difficult for Thierry Henry, coach of the French under-23 team, to get a clear idea of the team he will be able to field.
As the competition is located outside FIFA dates, it is up to the clubs to have the final say on the participation of their players.
Real Madrid thus announced by letter to the FFF its refusal to release its team.
“
That’s always been the case.
I knew how difficult it would be.
I read the email, I suspected it
,” Henry declared this Monday at a press conference, on the occasion of the last gathering in Clairefontaine before the Games.
The choice of Real Madrid is very important since it would probably concern Kylian Mbappé (without forgetting Camavinga, Tchouaméni or even Mendy), even if his transfer to Spain is still far from being official.
The captain of the Blues by Didier Deschamps is one of the many players who have expressed their desire to compete in the Games by taking one of the three places reserved for those over 23.
We will try to discuss, to be received… We will see where that takes us.
We are not defeatist.
We're going to talk... We need to poll everyone.
Thierry Henry
If he understands the decision of the clubs, especially those abroad who “
do not see the same situation as us in France
”, Henry does not admit defeat.
“
I never stopped at the first no
,” he says.
We will try to discuss, to be received… We will see where that takes us.
We are not defeatist.
We're going to talk... We need to poll everyone.
»
“The Olympics must become a FIFA date”
One thing is certain, the Bleuets coach will not encourage players to clash with the clubs.
“
We live in a world where, if you don’t set rules, people do what they want.
That's why there are red lights.
We need rules.
» Rules that the former Arsenal striker would like to see evolve: “
The Olympics must become a FIFA date.
Go to FIFA headquarters and ask the questions.
»
Read alsoOJ Paris 2024: finally, Henry calls on Cherki to compensate for two packages
Suspended on club decisions, Henry advances more or less gropingly and clings to a few small certainties.
In particular the targeted positions for the three players over 23 years old.
“
I know exactly the positions
,” he assures, while conceding that the two friendly matches scheduled for Friday March 22 against the Ivory Coast and Monday 25 against the United States could make him change his mind.
Afterwards, who?
I still do not know.
» Very clever he who can predict it.
“
We want the best team, but a lot of parameters come into play and we have no certainty
,” summarizes the coach.
Everyone wants to come, is it possible?
That's another debate.
»