France NT manager could call up Umtiti for the World Cup – report

Samuel Umtiti was once regarded as one of the top defenders in European football, one who played a crucial role in helping France lift the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

However, four years later, it appears the footballing world has forgotten the defender, who has endured a difficult time with injuries and a lack of first-team action with Barcelona. It has seen him move below in the pecking order, both for club and country.

Umtiti was even shipped off to Lecce on a season-long loan deal at the end of August by Barcelona, in an attempt to make space in the defensive unit.

But despite his ordeal, Umtiti still dreams of prominence and has set his sights firmly on the French national team, for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

This has been reported by Pianeta Lecce, which suggests the defender has an excellent relationship with France head coach Didier Deschamps. The Frenchman knows the defender well, having worked together to help the country lift the World Cup four years ago.

Even though Barcelona have given up hope on Umtiti, Deschamps has reportedly held a dialogue with the imposing centre-back, informing of his chance of potentially getting into the French setup just before the World Cup.

Even though Les Bleus have no shortage of world-class defensive options, Deschamps rates Umtiti highly due to his experience of playing at the highest level of football. But in order to get back into the team, the Barça defender must produce a series of excellent performances at Lecce.

The former Lyon starlet has started off on a good note so far, starring on his debut against AS Roma, even though his club ended up on the losing team.

With tricky games against Fiorentina and Bologna coming up, it will be interesting to see how Umtiti performs in the coming weeks, in his quest to become a surprise entrant in the French national team next month.

The post France NT manager could call up Umtiti for the World Cup – report appeared first on Barca Universal.

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