France go look different for this World Cup. Adrien Rabiot talk say the team get plenty attack now. Lucas Hernandez yarn say France get “best attack for the world”. Rayan Cherki talk say dem go “crush” opponents for World Cup. Rabiot say: “I think we get one of the most well-equipped teams for attack.” France don carry nine forwards for Deschamps final tournament. Dem get new “Fab Four” wey include Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Cherki. Plus Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Maghnes Akliouche, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram. Deschamps want make France “less predictable, less readable”. But Arsene Wenger warn say “the danger na to become offensively unbalanced”. Rabiot agree with am.
Rabiot say him role for France different from wetin e do for AC Milan. For France, e go allow others to shine. “We all get role. You must dey humble,” e yarn. “I try do my work well to allow players for front and back to perform well. Attackers and goalscorers dey valued more than midfielders or defenders.” Rabiot talk say N’Golo Kante don play that role before. “There are players wey play important role but dem no promote dem. That be case for N’Golo. E give everything for pitch.” At 35, Kante no dey start often, but e still dey important. Rabiot say: “Football don change. Nowadays, e no fit be nine or 10 players defending. You need everybody.”
Rabiot say e dey “accompany” attackers, “provide link between attack and defence”, allow dem to “express themselves” and give dem “freedom”. E be facilitator. Deschamps don release handbrake, but Rabiot dey there to control the car. For training, e see “freshness, technique, enthusiasm”. E say: “What make this squad work well na ability to express oneself. Everybody get free rein to show dem talent.” France dey stay for Boston and dem expect long stay. Les Bleus don reach past two finals. Rabiot miss 2018 but play for 2022 final wey dem lose to Argentina. “Since then, we want revenge,” e yarn. Victory for North America go be “beautiful homage” to Deschamps, wey go leave after tournament. Rabiot dey “very close” to Deschamps, even though dem no pick am for 2018 squad. E bin refuse reserve role. Since e come back for September 2020, e don dey ever-present. Only Mbappe and Kante don play more matches under Deschamps.
Even when Rabiot get problem for Marseille with teammate Jonathan Rowe, Deschamps still select am. “I dey take am for who e be, wetin e don do with us and wetin e fit bring us,” Deschamps talk. Rabiot say: “The manager don give us plenty.” For interview with Guardian, Deschamps no show interest for “legacy” or perception. But Rabiot care. “You always want finish on good note; the image wey you leave dey linger longest for mind. For France, people no realise wetin France national team don achieve for these past few years. People abroad dey more admiring, because dem want am to happen to dem. If dem get manager like Deschamps wey get plenty results, dem go dey extremely happy.” Substance over style: that be Deschamps era. Rabiot, one of im most trusted, embody am too. Leave style to attackers, Rabiot dey there to facilitate.
