Barthez criticized by Rothen for leaving out Butez despite strong performances at Como

Fabien Barthez is facing strong criticism after leaving Jean Butez out of France’s goalkeeper list for the November international break, choosing Guillaume Restes instead. Former international Jérôme Rothen has publicly taken a stand against this decision.

For Rothen, the Butez case is hard to defend. The Como goalkeeper is playing for a club at the top of the Serie A table and competing in the Champions League, two arguments that should have weighed in the balance, according to him. “How do you explain to everyone that the operating principle is merit, that Butez who plays at Como, who plays at the top of the table in Italy, who plays in the Champions League… It doesn’t matter that he’s 31 years old,” he declared.

The pundit was careful not to question the manager’s right to operate as he sees fit. “Everyone has a different operating method and I’m not asking him to do things like Didier Deschamps or Laurent Blanc,” he clarified. But he believes that merit demonstrated on the pitch must remain the central criterion for any selection.

Rothen also highlighted the limitations of Guillaume Restes, whose Toulouse side sits in twelfth place in Ligue 1. He recalled the difficulties of the Toulouse goalkeeper in certain high-stakes matches, notably at Marseille. He also mentioned Robin Risser’s spell in goal, marked by nine goals conceded against Como.

His conclusion was unequivocal: “If I were in Butez’s shoes, I’d be angry at everyone.” A statement that sums up the pundit’s bewilderment at the decisions made by the France staff for this international break.