As speculation grows over who will replace Antoine Griezmann (32) in the France lineup, the name of Warren Zaïre-Emery (18) has become increasingly louder in the conversations.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has had a breakout year for the French side which earned him his first-ever international call-up earlier in the season. The maturity of the young star has become his defining attribute as he has calmly made his name a starter for Les Parisiens.

He appears the obvious choice to replace the veteran striker turned box-to-box midfielder and could fit seamlessly into Didier Deschamps’s current set-up as a like-for-like replacement. However, speaking at a press conference the French head coach dismissed the notion that he wanted a Griezmann replica.

Deschamps stated, “Zaïre-Emery’s part of these relay midfielders. He has the ability to project himself [on the game]. Antoine, he’s Antoine. I don’t want another Antoine.” He continued, “I’m not going to put a player in to do what [Griezmann] could do.”

Instead, if he does choose Zaïre-Emery it would be to perform a unique role suited to his own talents, rather than to try and make him perform Griezmann’s role.

GFFN | Nick Hartland