Second in the hierarchy of goalkeepers of the French team, Brice Samba recently saw the youth and carefreeness of Lucas Chevalier, LOSC goalkeeper, arrive.
During the year 2024, Brice Samba (30 years old) went through all the emotions. Disappointments with RC Lens, on the European scene (Fribourg, Panathinaikos) as in Ligue 1 (missed Europa League), but also crucial first meetings with the French team. The RC Lens goalkeeper started the year in the French cages, during a friendly match against Germany (0-2), then experienced his first Euro. These are unforgettable memories.
“If I start taking care of So-and-so, I’m not going to perform well”
“It was my first big competition, the elite. I observed how the players behave. We released a lot of strength in our group of four, the three goalkeepers (with Mike Maignan and Alphonse Areola) and Franck Raviot (their coach). Mike was voted best goalkeeper by UEFA, we were happy for him, and that means we put him in the best possible position.”he confides in an interview with
The Team.
This group of 4 mentioned by Brice Samba has recently undergone some modifications. Alphonse Aréola, third in the hierarchy of French goalkeepers, gave way to Lucas Chevalier, who then had a string of heroic performances in the Champions League. The last named symbolizes the succession, but not the competition for the Artesian goalkeeper: “My biggest competition is myselfhe replied instinctively. I'm in the French team, the elite of world football, and to stay there, I have to be good. If I start taking care of So-and-so, I'm not going to perform well. I don't care who comes in, who goes out.”he blurted.
And the fact that Lucas Chevalier is the last bastion of LOSC changes nothing: “(Laughs.) But I also have Alphonse Areola, I have Mike Maignan! There is Guillaume Restes, Alban Lafont, etc. Why would there be a difference? In the Championship, of course there is this rivalry, because of the proximity, the background. But as a French team, we must be united”insists Brice Samba, whose next meetings with the Blues are planned for mid-March.
