Laporte set to show France what they are missing in Lyon
LONDON: Aymeric Laporte may still be trying to win the confidence of France coach Didier Deschamps, but as Manchester City travel to Laporte’s homeland to face Lyon on Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s trust in the centre-back is indisputable.
Signed for a then club record £ 57 million (US$73m) in January, there was skepticism as to whether City needed to splash out once more for a centre-back after investing more than £ 80 million in John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi and the return to fitness of captain Vincent Kompany.
On his arrival from Athletic Bilbao, Laporte took time to settle in his new surroundings with all three of his Champions League outings last season ending in defeat.
However, having had a full summer under Guardiola’s orders in pre-season as he missed out on Deschamps’ World Cup-winning squad, Laporte has become the stalwart of a City defence that has conceded just eight goals in 19 games.
In an incredibly deep squad with choices aplenty for Guardiola, the 24-year- old is the only outfield player to have played every single minute of Champions League and Premier League action.
“I can move the squad but when one player plays good, good and good, it gives me confidence so I give you another opportunity. It is not complicated,” said Guardiola to explain why Laporte has not been rotated.
Another is the fact Laporte has continued to be overlooked by France despite his solid start to the season with the likes of Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho and veteran Adil Rami retaining Deschamps’ faith instead.
“Sooner or later Laporte will be selected for France because it is difficult to find a better left central defender than him in the world,” insisted Guardiola.
“But of course it is good for the team for some of our players that are not selected for their countries to get rest.”
Three international breaks in the past three months have given Laporte the rest and recovery time he needs while many of his team- mates have been putting tired bodies on the line after the World Cup in the Nations League.