Report shares France captaincy stance on Liverpool ace Ibrahima Konate
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is in the running to take over as France captain if Kylian Mbappe abandons the role, according to L’Equipe.
Real Madrid attacker Mbappe has withdrawn from the squad for the last two international breaks and Reds centre-back Konate took over as the skipper for the previous match against Italy [November 17] and reportedly impressed the backroom staff. [L’Equipe]
French publication L’Equipe wrote (18 November) that Konate has impressed the backroom team with his leadership qualities and is among those who could be considered alongside Aurelien Tchouameni or N’Golo Kante if Mbappe relinquishes the armband.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is growing into a superstar
The 25-year-old is becoming a bonafide superstar for club and country this season.
Alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of a Reds defence that has conceded just seven goals in 11 Premier League matches, the Frenchman has put the injury issues that restricted him to just 22 league appearances last season behind him.
He has been dominant so far this campaign, winning 82.4 per cent of duels in the air and 73.4 per cent of duels on the ground in the Premier League. [Fotmob]
In his first match as captain for his nation, the Reds defender won the only aerial duel he attempted, 60 per cent of his ground duels and 100 per cent of the two tackles he attempted.
His contract is due to expire in June 2026 but the club are reportedly close to agreeing to a new deal with their rising star. [Fabrizio Romano]
It is imperative that Liverpool sort that contract out because Konate is rapidly establishing himself as a star player on the biggest stages.
In other Liverpool news, Dominik Szoboszlai impressed for Hungary but must bring that form back to Merseyside.
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