EXCLUSIVE | Brad Friedel on Folarin Balogun: ‘The confidence he brings from AS Monaco is excellent’ | OneFootball

With both France and the United States Men’s National Team through to the World Cup Round of 16, Get French Football News spoke to former Premier League stalwart and USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel about the US squad’s France-based players, the prospects of France and the US, and how he thinks Antoine Griezmann will fare in the MLS.

The US have had a really impressive start to the tournament – and Folarin Balogun has been one of the stand-outs with three goals and an assist in three appearances (plus an unfortunate red card). He had a great Ligue 1 season with AS Monaco – to what extent do you credit his time in France for his current US form?

I think the confidence he brings from Monaco is excellent and this has been shown by his performances in the World Cup so far. As a player, to bring confidence into the World Cup is important and with the pressure of the home nation to perform, he has been excellent. So yes, his confidence coming into the tournament from his form from Monaco was really important.

Olympique de Marseille’s Timothy Weah has only one substitute appearance and one start in the dead rubber against Turkey. Do you think he’s suffering from playing in a struggling club team this season?

This can be the case as I think he is quality. With Balogun coming into the tournament with huge confidence and showing this with his goals and performances, Weah is a top player and needs game time. With the team playing so well in the opening games, Weah has had to wait for game time, so let’s see how this develops in the next game.

The French league’s model is generally to buy young, develop and then sell on for profit. Which American players do you think French clubs might be looking to bid for after the World Cup?

It’s a tough one, but I believe there are plenty of players in the US squad who can benefit from playing in Lifue 1 as the higher the quality of league, the better experience they will get, which can only benefit the USA squad for future tournaments.

What does the American public make of France and their performances so far?

They are super impressed as I am. I saw the France vs Norway game live and France were brilliant. Yes Norway changed their team, but France still performed so well. The final goal with every player touching the ball was pure quality. They have the best strike force, the best squad and will be hard to beat.

In theory France and the US could meet in the semi-final. What do you think are the chances of that happening?

France are favourites to get to the semi-final. For USA, they had a really tough game against Bosnia, which they navigated. Then it’s another tough, tough game against Belgium. Should they get through that it could be Spain or Portugal which is the toughest of the lot. So it’s a hugely tough ask.

Mike Maignan had a poor start but is regaining confidence and saved a penalty against Norway. What are your thoughts on him as a keeper?

He has impressed me with his response. With such quality in front of him, he has the confidence to push on now in the knock-out stages. I can share why he saved the penalty from Jørgen Strand Larsen. Maignan moved one way and then dived the other, so the player, seeing the keeper move one way, then hit the ball the other way. So seeing the initial movement, Larsen thought the keeper would be staying the initial way he moved. I have adopted this technique at times, but the initial fake move by Maignan has initiated the player to make his decision, so an impressive save.

French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann is joining Orlando City after a great career in Europe. What can he expect from MLS and do you think that he can be a success (both on and off the pitch)?

He can expect a lot. Orlando City are going through a transition period right now. They have started the season poorly, the team needs a lift and he can provide this. He will have to get used to the weather issues, the travel around the country, but in terms of on the pitch, with his technical ability, this will be perfect for him to shine. He can show his leadership, he can show his experience, he can enjoy the pace of the game too.

Brad Friedel was speaking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of World Cup odds

GFFN | Jeremy Smith