Yohan Cabaye hasn’t quite lived up to expectation since joining Crystal Palace last summer and there’s only so long he can hang onto his France role.
French football journalist Julien Laurens told the European Football Show on BT Sport that Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye no longer deserves a place in the France national team.
The former PSG midfielder was included in Didier Deschamps’ 23-man squad ahead of 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and the Netherlands later this week as France take to the field for the first time since losing the Euro 2012 final on home soil against Portugal.
However, Laurens believes Cabaye is fortunate to have retained his place alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi in the France midfield following a number of subpar performances for Crystal Palace so far this season, arguing that highly rated Lyon starlet Corentin Tolisso (below) should take his place.
“[Tolisso] has been [Lyon’s] key player,” Laurens said on the European Football Show before Lyon’s Rhone derby victory against St Etienne. “He can literally play anywhere, right-back, midfield, behind the striker like he’s done the last few weeks.
“He can score goals, he can assist. I’m surprised he wasn’t in Didier Deschamps squad for the two games coming up.
“Yohan Cabaye, for me, in terms of form there is no debate.”
Alongside Ousmane Dembele, Tolisso is one of the most exciting talents in French football, with Napoli’s huge 37.5 million euro bid not enough to tempt Lyon into a sale in the summer, according to Goal.
However, the 22-year-old is yet to earn a senior international cap.
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