Manu Koné, more than France’s third midfielder at the World Cup?

Manu Koné may begin for France towards Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday at 23:00, an opportunity to push for an extended run at this World Cup. According to L’Équipe, he would deputize for Aurélien Tchouaméniwho is just not injured.

Didier Deschamps held a one-to-one temporary on Thursday, praising Koné’s coaching ranges and urging him to not ease off, with out confirming a begin. The 25-year-old is aware of Tchouaméni from youth groups and feels able to step in.

Since his debut in September 2024, the AS Rome midfielder has climbed the pecking order, changing into an everyday by autumn qualifying. With 4 begins in six between September and November, he may have anticipated to succeed in the World Cup as a starter.

A proper thigh damage in March dominated him out of the United States warm-up tour. He returned towards Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes, a 1-2 defeat on the fourth of June.

To hit peak situation, he spent 5 days in Monaco for further bodily work, making the most of the Principality’s gentle local weather, earlier than linking up with France.

Florent Ghisolfi, who signed him for AS Rome in summer time 2024 and is now Sunderland’s director of soccer, charges his poise beneath stress. He says Koné makes use of his physique to flee the press, powers previous challenges and brings assurance, hardly ever being caught in harmful areas.

His recreation additionally provides France a vertical edge and, as soon as he drives, he’s onerous to cease. He now desires the childhood dream to turn into routine over the coming weeks.