Why ‘disappointed’ Mike Maignan missed out on France captaincy

Mike Maignan (29) had been one of the favourites to wear the armband during the upcoming international break. Les Bleus face Israel and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League over the course of the next week, however, they will do so without captain Kylian Mbappé (25).

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has been allowed to remain with his new club, Real Madrid, to allow him to work back to full match fitness following a minor injury. His absence, coupled with the international retirement of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann, left Didier Deschamps with a decision to make.

The France manager has been left in a position where he must name a new captain, at least for this international break. Maignan had been one of the favourites, however, as revealed by RMC Sport, the final shortlist had been whittled down to three names: Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

It was the latter who will wear the armband, as confirmed by the FFF on Wednesday morning. That decision has “disappointed” Maignan, according to L’Équipe. 

RMC Sport have explained the decision, stating that Maignan’s outspoken dressing room rant in the wake of Les Bleus’ 3-1 defeat to Italy in September may have counted against him. In criticising the level shown by his teammates in that defeat at the Parc des Princes, he showed that he has a strong voice and the qualities of a leader.

Paradoxically, this may have counted against him, as his is a voice that may have, in the words of RMC Sport, “cast a shadow” on other elements of the dressing room, including captain Mbappé. This was a path that Deschamps therefore chose not to follow.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle