Ibrahima Konate wore the captain’s armband as France beat Italy 3-1 on Sunday, with there a rising assist amongst their workers for him to switch Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is formally France captain however has not been a part of their squad for the final two worldwide breaks amid questions over his dedication beneath Didier Deschamps.
That has seen Deschamps rotate the armband round quite a lot of gamers, together with Konate, who began as captain towards Italy on Sunday.
Having lastly cemented himself as first alternative – beginning 5 of the final six video games after not that includes in any respect on the Euros – the Liverpool defender is rising in prominence for France.
In line with L’Equipe, that has made him a powerful contender to take over as full-time captain if Mbappe relinquishes his duties.
Mbappe is anticipated to carry talks with Deschamps concerning his position for his nation and whether or not he needs to maintain the captaincy, with the supervisor acknowledging rumours that his No. 10 now not needs to put on the armband.
Konate is known as alongside N’Golo Kante and Aurelien Tchouameni as one in every of three choices for Deschamps if he’s to decide on a brand new captain.
It’s famous that Konate particularly has impressed France coaches with regards to his management, whereas his performances on the pitch for membership and nation want little rationalization.
If he’s named captain it could be belated recognition of Konate’s standing as a world-class centre-back, with Liverpool followers lengthy bemused by his peripheral position for France.
He would be part of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo as worldwide captains inside Arne Slot‘s squad, whereas others – together with Conor Bradley – have additionally worn the armband for his or her nation.
Konate is arguably within the type of his profession this season, and is at present having fun with his most constant run of begins in a Liverpool shirt as Slot and his workers navigate historic health points.
He has already clocked 1,244 minutes on the pitch this time period – the fourth-most of any Liverpool participant – and has set a private report of 10 consecutive begins within the Premier League.
