FRANCE COACH DIDIER Deschamps was left red-faced on live television last night after being told a player he’d been scouting is already a Senegalese international.
The French boss had been travelling to Italy to track the progress of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly with a view to bringing him into Les Blues’ Euro 2016 squad.
However, he was completely unaware the 24-year-old has already played three times for Senegal.
“For our defence, I’ve also been following Kouilibaly,” he said on the Canal Football Club show. “There is competition. Mathieu in Barcelona, Koulibaly in Naples.”
When told of Koulibaly’s ineligibility for France, Deschamps responded: ”Really? Well, we’ll see.”
Koulibaly, who represented France at U20 level, made his Senegal debut against Namibia in September and recently lined-out in a World Cup Qualifier in November.
The centre-back has caught the eye in Serie A after making the move from Belgian club Genk in May 2014.
But it’s back to square one for Didier.
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