Como’s Jean Butez reveals France World Cup dream | OneFootball

Mike Maignan is currently France’s undisputed No.1, but behind him, there is perhaps a place – even two – to fill. 

Didier Deschamps has entrusted Maignan ever since the retirement of Hugo Lloris post-2022 World Cup. Behind him, it has been Brice Samba and Alphonse Areola who have occupied the back-up roles, whilst Lucas Chevalier has recently come to the fore, since his summer move to Paris Saint-Germain. 

However, those aforementioned back-ups are all in delicate situations. Samba was dropped by Stade Rennais over the weekend, Areola has not featured in West Ham United’s last two Premier League games, and Chevalier has been usurped by Matvei Safonov at PSG. For Como’s Jean Butez (30), there is cause for hope.

And the French shotstopper has admitted as much during an interview with L’Équipe. “If you had asked my the question six months ago, it wasn’t even a topic for me. It is now more of one,” says Butez, who knows Les Bleus’ No.1, Maignan, well, given that he plays just down the road at AC Milan.

The Como goalkeeper added, “I am starting to establish myself at a club in a big European league. That already means a lot to me to be in the discussion.” Butez joined Como back in January 2025, featuring for a club competing in one of Europe’s top five leagues for the first time. He came through the ranks at Lille OSC, but never made a first-team performance for his formative club.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle