The words of Andy Diouf about his role on the field have sparked controversy in France. The Inter midfielder had stated: “Even at Inter I play in a position that isn’t mine, but the important thing is to help the team.” A phrase that did not go unnoticed, attracting criticism from journalist Florent Gautreau on the ‘After Foot’ podcast of RMC Sport.
“I didn’t really like his comment at the end of the match. The context concerns his role and his position. He said that, in fact, even at Inter he doesn’t play in his role and you can sense that he is disappointed about not playing in his position,” explained Gautreau. The French journalist then added: “He insisted a lot on this, saying that he prefers to play elsewhere. I found it curious that, when you are called up to the French national team, where you are currently being asked to play in a position more similar to the one you have at Inter, you act a bit picky and have this kind of attitude.”
According to the journalist, Diouf should have shown a different approach. “His role at Inter doesn’t exist in the French national team. What I mean is that I found what he said a bit out of place. I would understand more if, at a club, you fought over time to find the role you prefer. But if you arrive in the national team, in quotation marks, miraculously, because the coach has changed and wants to see new faces, I don’t think this is the first thing you should say,” emphasized Gautreau.
“In that case you think: ‘I’ll do what I’m asked to do,’ because he doesn’t care, he can put you on the left or as a left-back, I don’t know. Besides, I still don’t know enough about Zidane’s way of working,” he continued. The journalist then broadened the discussion to other midfielders: “There is a real issue with midfielders who are moved back or shifted in position. Camavinga, Zaïre-Emery, even Tchouaméni, when he played as a central defender with Real Madrid: every time they speak, the concept is: ‘Yes, yes, I adapt, but I want to play in midfield.’”
“It’s something that is often expressed in a rather aggressive way, as if they see this move as a demotion, as a rejection, while the players we mentioned are often very good precisely in those roles,” he added. The final criticism focused on attitude: “I insist on the young age of the boy. He’s lucky to be called up, to be involved in a new adventure. I would focus everything on communication, saying: ‘No problem, he can play me wherever he wants, I’ll play.’ The idea of saying: ‘If you make me play as a goalkeeper, I’ll come and play as a goalkeeper.’ On the other hand, if your name is Dembélé or Olise, yes, maybe you can say: ‘Sometimes it’s true, I prefer to play here or there.’”
CONTINUE READING