Thierry Henry's Challenge in Forming the Olympic Football Team
Thierry Henry has unveiled a pre-list of 25 players for the men's Olympic football tournament, set to take place from July 24 to August 9. This announcement comes after weeks of negotiations with clubs to release their players, a task complicated by the fact that the Olympic Games are not part of FIFA's official dates. This means that clubs are not obligated to release players for the event, adding a layer of difficulty to Henry's selection process. Notably absent from the list are high-profile players such as Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, who will be participating in the Euro with the senior team.
Players like Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola have made the pre-list, but their inclusion does not guarantee their participation in the Olympics. Real Madrid's refusal to release players like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga is a significant blow to Henry's plans. 'I would like to remind everyone that this list is virtual; it is the list of the moment,' Henry stated, acknowledging that the list may change until July 3. In France, clubs have the final say on whether they release a player or not, highlighting the complex dynamics Henry must navigate.
Key Players and Surprises
Henry's pre-list includes players who have been regularly called up with the Espoirs, such as Rayan Cherki (OL), Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Khéphren Thuram (Nice), and Désiré Doué (Rennes). The list also features two players over the age of 23: Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace). Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille, who recently secured a starting spot at his club, has also been included. The selection is, however, subject to change until the final list is submitted to FIFA by July 3.
In addition to these players, the list includes Guillaume Restes (Toulouse) as another goalkeeper, and defenders like Castello Lukeba (Leipzig) and Lenny Yoro (Lille). The forward line features Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery, alongside Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. Despite these selections, the reality is that the French Olympic team may not have the best French players available due to club refusals and the ongoing transfer market frenzy.
Preparations and Future Adjustments
Henry's team will begin their preparation camp on June 16 at Clairefontaine, but the coach is still facing numerous challenges. Efforts involving the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, and even the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, have not been enough to secure all players' participation. The French Olympic team will aim for a medal but will have to do so with a potentially compromised squad. Henry will also need to consider the transfer window and Champions League commitments, which could further impact the availability of key players.
The French team will play three preparation matches: against Paraguay on July 4 in Bayonne, the Dominican Republic on July 11, and Japan on July 17 in Toulon. They will make their Olympic debut on July 24 against the United States at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.
- Henry's list is expected to evolve even up to the last moments before the final submission to FIFA. With the ongoing transfer window and clubs’ commitments, changes in the squad are almost inevitable.
- The involvement of high-profile figures like Emmanuel Macron underscores the importance of the Olympics, but also highlights the obstacles within the football community regarding non-FIFA events.
- Players in the pre-list may also face risks relating to the transfer window. Clubs might not favor the absence of their players at the start of the season, adding another layer of complexity to Henry’s final selection.
