EXCLUSIVE | Franck Leboeuf on the Champions League final: ‘The right team won in the end.’ | OneFootball

Get French Football News had the opportunity to put some questions to former Chelsea FC and France defender Franck Leboeuf. Franck gave his thoughts on new Chelsea boss Xavi Alonso and on whether he agrees with William Gallas’ recent comments on William Saliba – but first he spoke about the Champions League final between Saliba’s Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain.

We’re speaking in the week after the Champions League final which PSG won on penalties. Did you enjoy the match and did the right team win?

Yes the best team won. Football won as PSG came out on top. It was a cagey game. Credit to Arsenal for making the final, but once they got ahead, they struggled to play their game and PSG were in control of the ball for most of the game. Although they didn’t create too much, they did dominate and Arsenal could have done better with the ball. Penalties is a lottery and you have to get the ball on target. But it was a fascinating game. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it massively, but yes the right team did win in the end.

We recently spoke to William Gallas about Saliba and his view was that still needs to step up for France like he has for Arsenal. Would you agree with that?

Well if William Gallas said it then it must be right! No seriously, I think Saliba has been quiet when he plays for France. It seems he is not the same as with Arsenal.

But he is a brilliant and outstanding defender and just needs to show his true character and himself when playing for the national side. He should show his confidence and brilliance a little more as he is such a good defender. So I wouldn’t say not shown up exactly, but for him to go and express himself like he does for Arsenal. He looks a little shy playing for the national side.

Moving on to your former club Chelsea, what are your thoughts on Xabi Alonso’s appointment? Is he the right man for the job and maybe more importantly will he be allowed to do his job?

Yes he is the right man but yes he needs the control of being able to look at the squad and share reinforcement requirements so that he can mould the team that he would like. Chelsea have a huge squad, so Alonso will have to quickly identify which players are for him and which ones are not going to fit into his style of play. He may need to do it quick as if he looks to sell players he can then buy and replace.

But he has to have control and be allowed to do his job, the same way that he had at Bayer Leverkusen where he had control, moulded the team well, and picked key players who were leaders in key positions and then had outstanding forward players to score goals and a strong defence.

Franck Leboeuf was speaking exclusively to Get French Football News courtesy of World Cup odds

GFFN | Jeremy Smith