Mbappé, Griezmann and infernal pace… What to remember from Konaté and Nkunku’s press conference

They found Clairefontaine and took part in the press conference this Tuesday morning. Christopher Nkunku and Ibrahima Konaté, were present in front of the journalists and did not avoid any subject, in particular for the defender of the Blues who returned to the context surrounding the League of Nations match against Israel this Thursday, October 10 (8:45 p.m.) in Budapest . “I don’t even have the words to describe the horror,” lamented the player. What is happening in the world today does not leave us indifferent.”

Before that, there had obviously been a question about the outfit worn by the former Paris FC player when he arrived at Clairefontaine. The defender arrived masked, his head covered by a full fluorescent yellow/green hood, which he then opened to reveal his identity.

Nkunku “very happy to come back”

The Blues striker made a more discreet return, more than a year after his last selection for the France team. “I’m very happy to come back,” he began. (…) I went through very difficult stages, it was a period that I was discovering because being injured for so long was the first time, admitted the Chelsea player. I also learned to know my body, to refine it little by little. It made me learn what patience and resilience were. I am psychologically stronger. »

“The injuries are now behind me, the most important thing is to stay healthy,” insisted Nkunku. A footballer’s life is never linear, I try to savor these moments. Now the important thing is to stay and perform. (…) I am in the process of regaining my level, especially in terms of sensations. In terms of rhythm it will come back, with playing time.”

With the absence of Kylian Mbappé – whose situation should not be “easy to live with” according to Konaté – and echoing the injuries of several senior players from major European teams, there was also talk of an overloaded schedule and the pace observed by these two members of the French team. “If we play one match after another and play everything, and we get injured, it’s us who pay the consequences,” Konaté said. It can harm an extension, a new contract; we don’t please the fans and we are criticized. If tomorrow there is a movement, of course I will be part of it and I think that all the players will follow, it is in our interest. »

Konaté hopes for a “tribute worthy of the name” for Griezmann

“I think that this year, if there are a lot of matches it wouldn’t bother me because I have a lot of desire,” Nkunku said. But from an overall point of view, there are a lot of matches, the question arises, especially regarding players who have to play all the matches for club or selection. Health comes into play. »

“In Liverpool, there is no discussion on this subject,” assured Konaté. There is no pressure from the club regarding that. But there are rumors for others and you have to understand the clubs. There are so many matches, the players are employees of the club and the clubs want them 100%. It’s up to the players to ask themselves: how I’m going to make it through the whole season, play all the matches. »

Finally, there was obviously talk of the surprise departure of Antoine Griezmann last week, “the famous Grizou”, as Ibrahima Konaté regretted. “What happened saddens me,” admitted the player. (…) I think he deserved an extraordinary farewell. (…) I would have preferred to know this during the last gathering to give him a farewell or a goodbye worthy of the name because he totally deserves it. » As for Christopher Nkunku, there is no question of him taking his place. “Antoine left an immense legacy, he marked a generation,” he explained. I’m not trying to replace Antoine, I’m just trying to make my contribution. We have different characteristics. I just want to stay myself, do my best. »