Daniel Riolo reacted this Wednesday in the show l’After Foot on RMC to the appointment of N'Golo Kanté as captain of the France team for the Nations League match against Israel. A choice by Didier Deschamps who questions the editorialist.
Without wanting to confirm it too much, N'Golo Kanté (33 years old, 63 caps, 2 goals) suggested to the press on Wednesday that he would be the captain of the Blues for the match played at the Stade de France against Israel. A few moments after his midfielder, Didier Deschamps was more direct and confirmed that the 2018 world champion would wear the armband this Thursday in the Nations League. A decision which may seem logical given the experience of the player from Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) – the most capped player at this gathering – but which is still accompanied by questions from Daniel Riolo.
“Kanté captain… I'm sorry but Kanté's last outings, we clearly saw that we were no longer in the presence of top level”, slipped the editorialist into the microphone of the show l’After Foot on RMC. “Even if he still has a lot of good will and he’s a player we like. But he’s no longer at the top level.”
“No one to trust to be forced to take it back”
With the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, forfeited from the November gathering, and the non-selection of Kylian Mbappé, Didier Deschamps called on the returning Adrien Rabiot and N'Golo Kanté. If the Marseillais should not start against Israel, despite his return to competition, the one who went into exile in the Gulf will have to guide the French selection.
“I don't know what he can do in the French team and what's more, he's captain. He decided to leave big professional football so it always means the same”, continued Daniel Riolo on the eve of the duel against the selection Israeli. And to clarify on the praise of some during Euro 2024: “No, it's in the first match. Afterwards it died out.”
The editorialist of theAfter Foot then analyzed the consequences of the choice of Didier Deschamps. In his eyes, this reflects a lack of depth in the Blues midfield.
“That means, above all, that you have no one you can trust to be forced to take him back when he has left Europe. And what’s more, you give him the armband…”, continued Daniel Riolo on the captaincy of N'Golo Kanté. “I have nothing against him but I find that it reflects a form… either of a lack of decision or originality in decisions, or even worse, a lack of reservoir.”
Riolo does not see Kanté at the 2026 World Cup
Among the reasons for concern for Daniel Riolo about the captaincy of N'Golo Kanté, the subject of the future of the environment among the Blues. Almost 34 years old (he will celebrate in March 2025), the former Leicester and Chelsea player is not guaranteed to play in the 2026 World Cup. Nor even to still play professional football.
“Frankly, the guy is going to the 2026 World Cup… Kanté,” the member of theAfter Foot this Wednesday. “[…] We still have a midfield without creativity with players who are a little similar. Warren Zaire-Emery is the starter, it's true that lately he's been coming back rather well with PSG but I don't know… I find this French team poor. I don't find her interesting, she doesn't appeal to me and she doesn't play good football.”
Jean-Guy Lebreton with RMC
