‘I will do anything to get there’ – Manu Koné desperate to be part of France’s Olympic squad | OneFootball

Manu Koné (22) was back at Clairefontaine after being called up to Thierry Henry’s under-23s squad to face Ivory Coast and the United States in preparation for the Paris Olympics.

The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder represented the new pool of players that Henry could draw upon for the Olympics. The 2001 generation now no longer allowed to be part of Henry’s usual selection as the under-21s manager.

If there was some tension between the current Espoirs and those like Koné that could be reintecrated into the team, then it did not come across as he spoke to L’Équipe. “We will bring our little experience to the group. We all already knew each other more or less, the atmosphere is really peaceful.”

The dream for each of those players selected for these upcoming friendlies on the 22nd and 25th of March will be to impress Henry ahead of the final squad later this year. As Koné stated, “I’ve been thinking about it since I was younger than eighteen. We knew we were in the right generation to participate… Playing for your country, in your country, being in the Olympic group, there is nothing better.”

‘Places will be expensive’ – Koné

Despite this, all the players know that the competition will be fierce for the eighteen places in the squad. Fiercer still for the fact that Henry will be able to select three over-aged players, with quality players like Antoine Griezmann (32) and Karim Benzema (36) all throwing their hats into the ring.

Koné admits that it is not a topic that the players have discussed. “In fact, we don’t really know yet who will be able to participate. Places will be expensive, the over-23s we hear about are all quality players.”

The problem facing a lot of these players is whether the club will allow them the opportunity to live their dreams. FIFA does not recognise the Olympics as an international competition and therefore leaves it up to the club’s discretion whether they allow their players to participate in the tournament or not.

As Koné says, “I haven’t discussed this with the club. On the other hand, they know my dream is to make the Olympics, they know that I will do anything to get there. I am French, Parisian… I will do anything.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland