Deschamps and Mbappe name check Ireland’s next generation

Macdara Ferris reports from the Aviva Stadium

Much of the discussion in the build-up to the start of the Group B EURO2024 qualifiers has been about the attacking options for both teams.

While talk in the French camp has been about Kylian Mbappe being handed the captain’s armband, in Ireland it has been about the potential of Evan Ferguson.

Both men got on the scoresheet in the games for their respective nations last week and when the French skipper spoke in the Aviva Stadium on the eve of the game, he was asked about the Brighton and Hove Albion striker.

“We saw some clips of him in action and he's a very good striker,” was what the French superstar said about Ferguson.

Mbappe scored twice in France’s 4-0 demolition of the Dutch on Friday bringing his tally to 38 goals. Ferguson meanwhile scored his first international goal and what was his first start for the Boys in Green.

With 38 goals in all competitions for France, Mbappe has moved into fifth place in the all-time highest goalscorers for Les Bleus - Olivier Giroud is top with 53. Half of Mbappe's goals have come in his last 16 appearances, as many as he'd netted in his first 51 internationals.

The 24-year-old French striker described Ireland’s three at the back formation as “an interesting system” and having looked at last Friday’s 3-2 win for Ireland over Latvia said “They played a friendly game so it is hard to take any lessons from it.

“They have a reputation for having a physical style but they play a lot of good football. It isn’t going to be easy. We will have to be aggressive and play our game.”

When the Didier Deschamps spoke in the Aviva Stadium after the PSG forward, the French manager also name checked the former Bohs man and spoke in positive terms of how Stephen Kenny’s Ireland side play.

”There is a new generation, with Ferguson. He poses a threat and is a good player.  [Mikey] Johnston has joined the team as well; it is a mix of young and experienced players.

“Ireland have this enthusiasm that is part of their DNA but that isn’t everything. They have technical quality and can play the ball on the ground. I expect a high level match.”

No slow death for Ireland as Stephen Kenny calls on a song of ice and fire https://t.co/InijUdHoLUpic.twitter.com/7yz15hrqK7

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