France can expect a challenge from Evan Ferguson during their Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday, despite Kylian Mbappe’s consistent performances for the team
According to Didier Deschamps, Kylian Mbappe is expected to break more France records, but he is aware that a Republic of Ireland team led by teenage star Evan Ferguson could be a threat.
France had a convincing 4-0 win over the Netherlands in their first Euro 2024 qualifier and will be optimistic about winning again in Dublin on Monday.
In the previous match, Mbappe, who is now the team’s captain, scored twice, bringing his international goal tally to 38 and placing him fifth on France’s all-time scoring list.
He is only three goals short of Michel Platini’s 41, which is a great achievement.
Deschamps reveals Mbappe is full of ‘ambitions’
“It’s Kylian, he’s full of ambitions. When he reaches one, he has another to reach,” Deschamps said at a press conference.
“He reached and exceeded quite a few very early on. He has that in him. He has a driving role compared to the whole group.
“He will do everything to get there, he will need the others, but it’s Kylian.”
France have won their past four qualifying matches for both the World Cup and Euros, scoring 16 goals without conceding.
The last time they managed to win five qualifying matches without conceding was between November 1981 and December 1984.
However, they face a Republic of Ireland side who have a young prospect of their own in Evan Ferguson.
The Brighton and Hove Albion striker scored on his first international start in a 3-2 victory over Latvia and could become the first Ireland player to score in consecutive appearances before turning 19.
Didier Deschamps has acknowledged the threat that the 18-year-old poses.
“It goes back to [Euro] 2016. I remember that we were trailing 1-0 [in the round of 16 before winning 2-1] and that it was complicated,” Deschamps said.
“But there is a new generation with Ferguson. It is always very difficult to compare.”
He continued: “They are a technical team. From what I have seen, they use less direct play and long balls. It will be a different game, with the crowd pushing as well.
“It’s a high level and it’s up to us to do no less.”
