Florian Thauvin, the RCLens winger, continues his rise in Ligue1 and nourishes the hope of a recall to the French team. At 33 years old, however, he has to face two major obstacles: his age and the strong competition on the right side. Despite these challenges, his recent performances leave room for debate over his possible inclusion in the national team.
The Lensois made an impression during the match against ParisFC, where he scored a goal and provided an assist for a 2–1 victory. With six goals and eight assists in all competitions, he positions himself as one of the most influential players at his club. His technique, his vision of the game and his efficiency in the last thirty meters make him a major asset for Lens. These recent statistics fuel discussions around his return to the Blues, especially in a context where several offensive players remain uncertain for the next rally.
ClémentGrenier, Ligue1+ consultant, expressed his opinion on Thauvin's situation. He believes that “the current performances of Lensois deserve a new opportunity” but recognizes that the age of 33 “does not represent the future of the France team”. According to him, the dilemma lies between rewarding current form and favoring younger players for the long term. This analysis underlines the complexity of coach Zinédine Zidane's decision.
Besides age, the competition on the right side is particularly fierce. Talents like MichaelOlise, MaghnesAkliouche and RayanCherki have technical qualities and an ability to get into the axis similar to those of Thauvin. Grenier specifies that “Olise, as a left-hander capable of playing on the right, as well as Akliouche and Cherki, represent profiles close to that of Thauvin”. Even the possible absences of OusmaneDembélé and EstébanLepaul do not guarantee a place at Lensois, because “Thauvin is not a real center forward to compensate for their absences”. The coach could therefore opt for a different profile in order to balance the attack.
For Thauvin, each performance with the Sang et Or constitutes an opportunity to convince Zidane that he can bring immediate added value, despite the presence of younger players already integrated into the offensive hierarchy. Lensois nevertheless has a solid argument: its current performance. If the current form prevails over the construction of a long-term project, he could well see his name rewritten in the next national list. The next calendar of the French team will determine whether the coach will favor immediate performance or sustainability, and what role, if any, will be reserved for this RCLens veteran.