Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

BIGGEST THREAT TO FRANCE IS...FRANCE

Petit worried big-player egos could derail bid

- MIKE WALTERS

EXCLUSIVE BY

@Mikewalter­smgm FRANCE legend Emmanuel Petit fears the biggest danger to Les Bleus’ defence of the World Cup will be infighting and discord among the squad.

Petit lifted the holy grail in 1998 (with Patrick Vieira and the World Cup, right), scoring in the final against Brazil just two months after helping Arsenal win the Double. But four years later, France arrived as holders and suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by Senegal in their opening match (stunned fans, right) and finished bottom of the group. They went out of the 2002 finals without scoring a goal, the worst defence of the trophy in World Cup history. If the French make it to the last eight in Qatar, potentiall­y they could encounter England in the quarter-finals – and Petit warned only a united front will be good enough to meet the challenge.

He said: “On the pitch, we have the quality, personalit­y and character to do well, but I hope that egos do not take over. That would be the biggest threat to our chances.”

France were already without star midfielder­s Paul

Pogba and N’golo

Kante when £54million Chelsea-bound striker Christophe­r

Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament earlier this week.

But Petit, now 52, says disharmony – which engulfed the camp at last year’s deferred Euro 2020 finals – could be just as destructiv­e.

In the back of an Airbus A320 at Stansted airport, escorting the FIFA trophy on its Coca-cola-sponsored world tour, ex-midfielder Petit said: “If anything, the French will fear England more, especially right now with all the troubles surroundin­g our national team’s big players.

“I’m pretty sure this will be the most difficult World Cup for France in a long time.”

Petit has been alarmed by signs of tension between Kylian Mbappe and Brazil’s Neymar at Paris Saint-germain.

Last month Petit questioned whether success – like the four goals he contribute­d towards France’s triumph four years ago in Russia – had gone to Mbappe’s head, saying: “He has so much quality and there is no doubting his importance to PSG and the national team.

“But it is only last year (at the Euros) when there were difficulti­es in the relationsh­ip between some players, and even their families in the stadium as well.

“There were so many fights, especially during the Switzerlan­d game, where we drew 3-3 and were then eliminated on penalties.

“After ruling the world in ’98, we crashed and I hope that history serves as a lesson to the players.”

 ?? ?? HEADACHE Superstar Mbappe has given Petit cause for concern
HEADACHE Superstar Mbappe has given Petit cause for concern

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