Why Kante is still crucial for France - Giroud
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- N'Golo Kante, now 35 and playing for Fenerbahce since February after a spell in Saudi Arabia, remains a "crucial player" for France according to Olivier Giroud, who convinced him not to retire from international duty after their 2018 World Cup triumph.
- Giroud expects Didier Deschamps to start Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield against Senegal, with Kante initially on the bench but deployed when France need to "hold a lead or defend a result" — Giroud says he would not be surprised if Kante starts in the later stages.
- Kante is now the oldest player in the France squad, and Giroud credits his "contagious" mentality and relentless running for lifting those around him, comparing France's 2018 balance, when they were behind for just nine minutes (against Argentina in the last 16) across 630 total minutes of play.
- France's group stage opens against Senegal on Tuesday — the same opponents Giroud's France lost to at the 2002 World Cup — followed by Iraq and what Giroud calls a "dangerous underdog" Norway, with Giroud insisting Les Bleus must finish top to "make a statement."
- Giroud describes Kante as a squad "mascot" — shy, reserved, a chess and Scrabble enthusiast who "hates losing" — and says his sunny personality and experience will be vital for the younger players around him in the camp.
Why it matters: Giroud, who played alongside Kante in France's 2018 World Cup-winning midfield, is lending his voice to the argument that Kante's value to this squad transcends his current club level — even from the Fenerbahce bench, Giroud expects Deschamps to turn to him in the late-game moments that decide knockout ties.
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