Dugarry tempers enthusiasm over Lepaul's France pre-call-up

Esteban Lepaul learned this week that he had been included in Zinédine Zidane’s pre-call-up list for France’s four Nations League matches scheduled between September 25 and October 5. A distinction that does not entirely convince Christophe Dugarry.

The Stade Rennes striker finished as Ligue 1’s top scorer last season, but failed to secure a place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup. Since the restart, he has already scored three goals, confirming his form. His pre-call-up comes as France prepare to meet for the first time since their defeat to England in the World Cup third-place match (4-6), and as Zidane prepares his very first squad list as head coach of the French national team.

Radio consultant and 1998 World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry chose caution. “There are so many uncertainties. Even for Lepaul, I think it wouldn’t be a good thing. Because you change status and environment. People look at you differently. He still needs to progress,” he said.

Dugarry does not question the player’s talent, but raises the question of maturity. “It’s essential to arrive at the French national team with the necessary maturity. It is obviously more or less early for players, but I think he still has things to work on. After that, everything he does is good, it’s great. Scoring so many goals… He’s on a good trajectory. But I think he’s still a bit raw.”

The former Bordeaux striker maintained his position throughout. “Moving from Ligue 1 to the French national team, I’m sorry, it’s beautiful, the story is beautiful, but you have to have exceptional qualities to do that. He’s very, very good, he’s very, very strong, but I think he still needs to progress in certain areas,” he concluded.

Lepaul, who married this summer after missing the World Cup selection, will have to convince Zidane that the pre-call-up deserves to be turned into a firm call-up.