David Bettoni was present at the last Espoirs match in Orléans. Have you spoken with him, or with Zinédine Zidane, about Saël Kumbedi?
Gérald Baticle: We discuss, we discuss all the players in the group, including those who are not selected but who have strong potential. And of course, we talked about Saël.
You often talk about adaptation. In Hopes, you have to constantly adapt. Saël’s summons happened very quickly. Can you tell us how it happened and what your role was?
It happened simply. At our September gathering, he was in the group. He performed well with us, then he continued to perform with his club (Wolfsburg). He was therefore selected for November. The players were to arrive on Monday, late morning or early afternoon. During the day, there was a need for his position and the choice fell on Saël. He was supposed to come with us, but at the last moment, he took the direction of the castle rather than the building of Hopes. Ensuring that our players can join the A’s is part of our job. We are a source of proposals. Then you need courage, daring and the possibility of throwing young players into the team. It’s up to them: it’s their choice. We propose, we discuss and, if necessary, we give our opinion.
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It has been some time (2007 with Trezeguet) since any player playing in the second division had been called up to the French team. In your opinion, is there a desire to break the codes, to give a chance or to send a message?
You have to ask them. I can't answer for them. What I feel, on the other hand, is a desire to perform, to have a high-level team and variety in profiles, in order to be able to put a lot of things in place. The desire to play well, to win and to work well is there.
Does this opening towards the A's have an effect on the players in your group? Does it broaden the range of possibilities and perhaps make them better?
This is a goal for young players, and it is normal to be ambitious. I ask them not to limit their ambition. You can aim very high, all the way to the Golden Ball, but you then have to move forward step by step: build your path, be professional, have the will, put in place a method and respect the steps. They have always been very motivated by the idea of winning a place in the A team. The bridge has always existed. Since the Olympics, many players have had the opportunity to play at this level. Recently, it may be even more visible, allowing them to see that the goal is close. The castle is not far away, as the coach said. This creates enthusiasm and dynamism. For Saël, he is a bubbly boy, happy and appreciated by the group. When he comes to greet them, they are happy for him, and this creates a very positive emulation.
Does this new dynamic also allow the Espoirs to have a more important place in the eyes of the A, but also of the French public?
I want to do my job properly, and the staff is focused on what they have to do: winning and preparing well for the Euro. But it’s not just about results. We must also pass on codes, a love of the jersey and a sense of responsibility. Wearing the French team jersey is a pride, an honor, but also a responsibility. You have to perform well, while having dignified attitudes and behaviors. We are working to develop this ability to reach a high level. Collective progress highlights individual qualities and gives players the opportunity to compete for the A's. Then, you have to continue to work, gain playing time and reach new levels to remain competitive.
You have to follow football more so as not to “discover” it. We don't discover him: we know him, and we know his qualities.
Gérald Baticle on Saël Kumbedi
You're not sulking about Zizou, who "stolen" Kumbedi from you? Are you still talking to each other?
Yes, of course (smiles). This also allows a competitor of Saël to join us, to perform, to discover a new young person and to pass on the codes of the Maison Bleue to him, with the ambition of one day going to the castle. For us, it’s emulation. It is a great pride to see our players at the highest level, enter the field and perform. Recently we have seen several (Yoro in September). They are talented players. We see them one week every two months, but when we identify an area of progress, we try to give them material so that they can respond at the highest level. Accompanying them is a pride and an honor.
Ethan Mbappé was called up for the second time. We couldn't see him much during the first gathering. What qualities do you like?
We didn't see him much. He didn’t get hurt: we “caught” him. There should have been a penalty and a red card. He had already been selected in previous seasons, but for various reasons he was unable to come. This time, he played his first cap, then he had to leave us after a very strong tackle, for a medical problem. He then resumed with his club. He gave us satisfaction in the little playing time he had, but especially in training, where we were able to see his level. It is therefore natural that he is called up again: he performed well between the two meetings with his club, and he was also successful with us.
Beyond this injury, he is a player who has experienced several physical problems over the last two or three years. Have you discussed it with him?
For me, it's settled. We need to get that out of his head. They are young players in development: they must progress, but also find their balance in their professionalism, in their life, in their new club, when they change cities or environments. He worked well and put the machine back in order. Today, I see it solid. He gains playing time in his club, finds more and more reference points, gains confidence and develops variety in his game. He progresses quickly and upwards. It is therefore very interesting to select him and support him in his rise.
A final word on Saël (Kumbedi). He is now with the A, but the general public discovered him while he was playing in the German second division...
You have to follow football more so as not to “discover” it. We don't discover him: we know him, and we know his qualities. I knew him in Lyon. He is a bubbly and happy boy. At the press conference, you could feel it. He doesn't cheat, that's how he is. On the pitch, he is a generous and serious boy. He is a full-back who goes forward a lot, but who defends well and has a lot of energy. He is part of this generation of talented young people who put a lot of energy into what they do, and he is rewarded. It's not easy for him every day: he had to leave his club, he was a bit sidelined. He came with us, regained playing time, confidence and rhythm. He then returned to his club, found his place and performed. He has variety in his game: he knows how to defend in his line, attack and offer different things. This gives him a great offensive range, combined with defensive seriousness.
