Olivier Giroud Backs N'Golo Kante as Essential for France's World Cup Campaign

Olivier Giroud has publicly defended N'Golo Kante's selection for France's World Cup campaign, insisting the 35-year-old midfielder remains vital to the team's success despite spending recent years outside Europe's premier leagues. Speaking as a pundit, Giroud revealed a personal conversation with Kante nearly a decade ago in which he persuaded the midfielder to continue his international career rather than retire early.

The Kante Question

Giroud recounted that when both players were at Chelsea following France's 2018 World Cup victory, Kante expressed a desire to step away from international football. At the time, Giroud counseled against retirement, telling Kante he remained in his prime and should continue representing his country. That conversation has proven prescient, with Kante now holding 69 international caps and maintaining his status as a key player for Les Bleus.

The midfielder's career path has been unconventional by traditional standards. After his Premier League stint concluded, Kante moved to Saudi Arabia before joining Turkish club Fenerbahce in February. This geographical shift raised questions about whether manager Didier Deschamps would continue selecting him. The French coach's thinking on this matter has evolved considerably from previous eras, when players moving to non-elite European leagues faced international exile.

Tactical Balance and Playing Time

Giroud anticipates that Deschamps will initially position Kante on the bench, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot starting in midfield. However, he argues that Kante's involvement will become necessary as tournaments progress. France's attacking formation—featuring Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Kylian Mbappe—creates defensive responsibilities that require a midfielder of Kante's caliber.

Drawing on years of partnership with Kante at both club and country level, Giroud emphasized the midfielder's unique capacity to fulfill dual roles. His ability to contribute defensively while supporting attacks provides the equilibrium France needs across multiple matches. Giroud noted that even from a substitute position, Kante's professionalism ensures he contributes meaningfully whenever called upon.