Scorer against La Gantoise with Chelsea in the Conference League on Thursday evening (4-2), Christopher Nkunku was selected by Didier Deschamps for the French team’s matches against Israel and Belgium.
After the announcement of his international retirement, Antoine Griezmann leaves a huge void in the French team. Best passer in the history of the Blues, the Atlético de Madrid playmaker had a unique profile in the selection and Didier Deschamps will have to adapt to his absence… and find a successor. Michael Olise can play in a playmaker position, but the French coach sees him more as an alternative to Ousmane Dembélé on the right side for the moment. On the other hand, one player has the characteristics to establish himself in the long term as a central element capable of replacing the attacker: Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku does not want to be compared to Griezmann
Long weighed down by injuries, the former Parisian has been spared since the start of the season. Nkunku continues the matches and scored Thursday evening against La Gantoise in the Conference League, good news for Didier Deschamps, who called him up for the matches against Israel and Belgium. Asked after Chelsea’s victory about his ability to replace Antoine Griezmann, the former RB Leipzig playmaker refused any comparison with the man who is a true legend of the French team.
“To replace him? It’s a big word. Griezmann is irreplaceable with the image he has with the France team and everything he has brought. There is a long way to go before we can replace it. I would also like to pay tribute to him for everything he has done for the France team. He’s a great person. I was surprised because I think he could still make the French team. Now, if he is content and happy with this choice with its reasons, it is to his credit” explained Christopher Nkunku at the microphone of Canal+ For the Chelsea playmaker, there is no question of accepting the comparison with Antoine Griezmann, as the task of succeeding him is heavy and high in pressure. However, it is the former PSG player who will be among those who will have the heavy responsibility of taking charge of the French team’s game after the international retirement of “Grizou”.
