Thierry Henry carried the Olympic torch through Paris in preparation for this summer’s Olympic Games in his home city and the former Arsenal forward will carry the hopes of the home nation as France manager in the men’s football tournament. After Euro 2024 disappointment, the Olympics present Les Bleus with another shot at glory.
By Graham Ruthven
40 years have passed since France last won gold in the men’s football tournament. For 16 years between 2000 and 2016, they didn’t even qualify for the Olympics. The Games haven’t always been a priority for France, but with Paris hosting the 2024 Olympics a deep run is being targeted this summer.
New Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has been included in Henry’s 22-man squad for the tournament with his now former-Crystal Palace teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta also picked. Alexandre Lacazette will feature as an overage player with Rayan Cherki another Lyon player who has the potential to make his mark.
France’s performances at this summer’s Olympics could offer a hint of what the country’s senior team could look like in the years to come. Mateta, for instance, could succeed Olivier Giroud as France’s first-choice centre forward after the 37-year-old’s decision to retire from international duty. The Palace striker is a more traditional focal point than either Randal Kolo Muani or Marcus Thuram.
Castello Lukeba is another with the potential to feature for France’s senior team with the 21-year-old a first team figure for RB Leipzig. The central defender is physically strong, covers ground quickly and is comfortable in possession. He fits the mould of a modern centre back and is still improving with Chelsea reportedly interested in signing him.
Manu Koné is a ball-carrying midfielder whose dynamism could have been useful for France at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old was linked with Liverpool last summer and could use this summer’s Olympic Games as a platform to prove his readiness for the elite level. His defensive work will be key to Henry’s overall team structure.
The hope was that Kylian Mbappé would play at the 2024 Olympics with the Real Madrid star open to playing at the tournament. However, clubs aren’t obligated to release their players for the Olympics, making it unlikely that Real Madrid would let their newest superstar leave just weeks after joining.
That makes Olise the most reliable difference-maker in France’s Olympics squad, particularly after bagging a brace in last week’s warm-up friendly against the Dominican Republic. The London-born winger is tipped to play for France’s senior team one day and could give Les Bleus some much-needed creativity higher up the pitch after a Euro 2024 campaign that saw Didier Deschamps’ team unable to impose themselves on opponents.
Deschamps is expected to stay on as France manager despite much discussion about his future, but changes are required ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This is where Henry’s Olympic team could offer some solutions. The tournament will be a chance for several promising young players to prove they could make the step up.
For Henry, though, winning is all that matters for his French Olympic team on home soil. “When I arrived here, I spoke to the president of the FFF (French Football Federation) and I told him that I was visualising gold. No matter who is on this team, we must try to get that gold medal,” said the 46-year-old who has been France U21 head coach for the past year.
Henry himself has a point to prove this summer. While the 1998 World Cup winner is still revered for what he achieved as a player, his managerial record leaves much to be desired. Indeed, Henry was dismissed after just 20 games in charge of Monaco and failed to make much of an impression in his time as head coach of MLS side CF Montreal either. Henry needs the Olympics to go well.
Olympic football isn’t as prestigious in the men’s game as it is on the women’s side, but this tournament could be a testing ground for some of France’s most promising young players like Olise, Cherki and Lukeba. This is about more than just going for gold. This could be where Deschamps gets some much-needed new ideas.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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