Liverpool told they have a 23-year-old who could become one of his country’s best ever players

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has the potential to be one of France’s best ever central defenders.

That’s the view of French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly. Speaking to L’Equipe before Les Bleus smashed the Netherlands 4-0 yesterday, Desailly gave his thoughts on Konate’s re-emerging partnership with Dayot Upamecano.

“I think the complementarity is very, very good. Upamecano, who has fallen behind to settle into this France team, should be the boss that Raphael Varane was at one time in the intensity and in the mission of securing the defensive block,” said the former Chelsea defender.

“We have six names and three possible hinges, with Wesley Fofana and the others, who can keep the hinge of the France team at a very, very high level. In addition, Upamecano and Konate play in very high-flying clubs and have time to get seasoned at the top level.

“They [Konate and Upamecano] are calm, serene and just have to learn about defensive retreat and to have humility. They have such an ability to pounce and intervene on the opponent that, sometimes, when you have such qualities, you no longer take those 50 centimetres, that meter that it takes to be able to counter the opponent, you are on a razor blade because you have this assurance.

“If they evolve on that, they can become, especially Upamecano, perhaps, the greatest defenders France has had, if the collective follows and continues to win titles. The succession is really very good. This is their moment, I am convinced.

“I had great defensive qualities but I didn’t have that one-on-one tone that Upamecano can have. You have to develop it, become a leader and prove it on the pitch but, basically, wow, I’m so proud when I look at them that my eyes shine.

Konate cements his place in French defence

Although Desailly is mainly praising Upamecano here, it’s still a massive feather in Konate’s cap. As Desailly alludes to, France aren’t short of top-level centre-backs. But after the retirement of Varane, Liverpool’s No.5 appears to be Didier Deschamps’ preferred option.

From a Reds persepctive, that’s a smart decision by the coach. Although he’s had his injury troubles this season, Konate shows his class every single time he plays. The 23-year-old’s potential is frightening.

Having also partnered Upamecano for years at RB Leipzig, he knows the Bayern Munich man incredibly well, too.

All of this could certainly result in the pair becoming an iconic defensive duo. Just twenty-three and twenty-four respectively, Konate and Upamecano could go on to have many, many years together.

From a Liverpool point of view, that would be amazing. Despite an influx of French players during Gerard Houillier’s reign, the Reds have never found too much success in signing players from that particular nation. Konate looks set to change that.

Comments such as Desailly’s aren’t necessarily helpful in that they add more pressure to two relatively young players. But both Konate and Upamecano look well-built to deal with such pressure. If everything runs smoothly, Liverpool could have a potential legend on their hands.

Keep up to date with all the latest Liverpool news and opinion by following Rousing The Kop’s official Facebook page