“He should be retired”: Journalist wants Franck Kessié out of the Ivorian national team

Ivorian journalist Magloire Diop has called for Franck Kessié to be removed from the Elephants’ midfield, arguing that his presence prevents the team’s play from being renewed. He criticized what he considers overly cautious choices by coach Hervé Renard and urged him to give young players, including Inao, more responsibility. Diop cited Aimé Jacquet’s choices for the 1998 World Cup, when Zinédine Zidane was included and Éric Cantona was left out. He warned that the same problems in the team’s play could come up again in three months if the midfield is not managed differently.