Jules Koundé during the France-Denmark opening of the Euro Espoirs, March 25, 2021. -

ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP

He was one of the rare French satisfactions of the sadly lost match against Denmark at the start of the Euro Espoirs, but that was not enough for him.

Obviously.

Before the last chance match - already - Bleuets against Russia this Sunday evening, Jules Koundé did not mince his words about the deficiencies displayed by a team which nevertheless has very strong individualities.

“We're going to have to do a lot, a lot, a lot better.

We were very insufficient, in the intensity and the races.

We didn't create anything, we fell asleep with the ball.

Even without the defeat, the content would have been grossly inadequate.

Suggesting that is not normal.

We were not at the level of this competition, he noted on Saturday at a press conference.

Talent and quality don't guarantee anything when you don't do the right thing.

At the pace at which we played against Denmark, we are within the reach of everyone.

"

"A great legitimacy", already

The Sevilla defender only joined the Espoirs six months ago, with a first selection in September 2020, but his progress is so fast, "dazzling", in the words of coach Sylvain Ripoll, that he is already doing naturally part of the frames.

“Jules arrived with great legitimacy, that of his club performances.

He is a calm, mature boy who is able to analyze things very well.

And to have a strong reaction, this is already the first step ", analyzed Saturday Ripoll, still bitter after the first match" very school "proposed by his players.

“This leadership role, I like to take it, it's part of me.

I am among the oldest, I have the experience of the high level, even if it is recently.

It's important to talk, to give the maximum.

We should also have communicated more, ”said the defender.

Close to the A's?

While his name had been mentioned for a possible arrival in the A from this March, the former Bordelais also assured that, like the whole group, he was “very concerned and very motivated” by this Euro Espoirs.

However, everything prompts him to imagine a quick future on the floor above.

Firmly installed in a very good European club, winner of the Europa League, he also discovered the Champions League this season, so many elements that make him a natural candidate for Didier Deschamps' team, always very attentive to knowledge of the highest level.

“At the hinge, the positions are expensive.

There are those who are there with experience, those who are arriving, and there are others like Koundé who could be brought into the France group, ”slipped the coach of the Blues in October.

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