Zidane Makes Full-Back Position His Priority After Revealing International Break

Zinédine Zidane has drawn his first conclusions from the international break: the full-back position, on both sides of defence, has become a priority for the France manager, according to L’Équipe.

This fifteen-day gathering, which concludes tonight against Belgium, allowed the Blues to string together four matches and broaden their player review. Days after securing a 1-0 victory on Belgian soil thanks to a Michael Olise goal late in the match, the France team approaches this final fixture on a generally positive note. “I’m very satisfied with the spirit so far. I have top players. I know it will take time. I’m a bit frustrated that it’s stopping,” said the 1998 World Cup winner at his pre-match press conference.

But behind the displayed satisfaction, Zidane appears to have quickly identified a structural gap in his squad. The issue of full-backs has become a central concern for the manager and his staff, to the point that he has already spoken with Hubert Fournier, the national technical director, to consider concrete solutions. Zidane reportedly asked him to promote the emergence of players capable of operating on the flanks of defence.

In this approach, the manager has also drawn closer to Gérald Baticle and Bernard Diomède, respectively heading the U23s and U20s, asking them to test certain players in these positions. Dayann Méthalie and Ismaëlo Ganiou, already used on a flank with the U23s, are reportedly among the prospects identified for the future.

One name appears to have particularly caught Zidane’s attention during this gathering: Adrien Truffert, who reportedly impressed the manager and his staff.