GIROUD: I’LL STEP INTO POG SHOES

FROM in Doha

OLIVIER GIROUD is ready to step up and help fill the void in the France squad left by “leader” Paul Pogba.

Former Manchester United ace Pogba helped France lift the World Cup in 2018.

But the midfielder has been ruled out this time with a knee injury, along with team-mates N’golo Kante and Christopher Nkunku.

Ahead of Giroud’s sixth major tournament, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker (above) said: “Paul will be sorely missed but it is not just him, I’m thinking of N’golo and Christopher too.

“We will hopefully make them proud. Paul takes a lot of space in the team with his personality and charisma, but there are other leaders who will emerge.

“I can be a big brother for younger players – be available to them, motivate the team and keep them together.”