With the announcement of Didier Deschamps' France squad for the upcoming World Cup looming, a compelling debate has emerged regarding the potential inclusion of Rennes forward Estéban Lepaul. The young striker has garnered significant attention for his performances, and now he has received a powerful endorsement from a former national team star.
Djibril Cissé, the ex-Liverpool and Marseille attacker who twice finished as Ligue 1's top scorer in 2002 and 2004, has publicly campaigned for Lepaul's call-up. Working as a consultant for the sports channel L'Équipe, Cissé did not mince words when asked about the prospect, stating unequivocally, "If I were the selector, I would take him."
Cissé's argument is rooted in a fundamental footballing principle: the value of a natural goalscorer. He emphasized that Lepaul has consistently demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net week in and week out. "He has shown he knows how to do it, he proves it every weekend, he has his place," Cissé explained. "And you always need someone to score goals, even if he starts from a distance."
Beyond the pure statistics, Cissé highlighted a crucial character trait that could make Lepaul an ideal squad member. He noted that the Rennes attacker "won't sulk if he doesn't play," suggesting a team-first mentality that is invaluable in the high-pressure environment of a World Cup tournament. This selfless attitude is often a deciding factor for managers building a cohesive group.
Drawing a personal parallel, Cissé connected Lepaul's situation to his own experience ahead of the 2002 World Cup. At that time, Cissé was a relatively unknown quantity to the wider public despite having scored 22 league goals. He had not yet experienced the dynamics of a major tournament squad but was given an opportunity based on his on-field output. "I was unknown to the general public... But they trusted me and I was in the group," he recalled.
The former international's core message is that performance should be the primary currency for selection. "For me, performances must speak," Cissé asserted. This philosophy places Lepaul's tangible contributions on the pitch above considerations of reputation or prior tournament experience.
As Deschamps prepares to finalize his roster, the case for Estéban Lepaul is being made loudly by one of France's most prolific strikers of the modern era. Whether this advocacy influences the final decision remains to be seen, but it has certainly added a notable voice to the conversation surrounding the composition of Les Bleus for the global showpiece.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.
