Roy Keane has lauded France forward Antoine Griezmann as a ‘huge player at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with Arsenal seemingly planning and missing out on a January move for the player.
That won’t happen now after he secured a permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in October (ESPN), although, in this crazy world of football anything can happen.
But whilst Mikel Arteta and Co. look for other options to replace their stricken World Cup star, Gabriel Jesus, who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Griezmann is cooking on football’s biggest stage.
The 31-year-old was perhaps Man of the Match when France booted England out of the tournament and he was showing his class once again in the semi-final against Morocco.
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has been left pretty impressed by what Griezmann has showcased in Qatar, especially in the defensive department, as he told ITV Sport.
“Griezmann’s brilliant,” said Keane. “What we have talked about him recently is how good he is going forward. But his defensive side of the game, his organisation and the way he was leading the team.
“He is a huge player for this team. It’s more his defensive work that I was impressed with.”
GRIEZMANN PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT?
Whilst Kylian Mbappe’s speed, flair and goals perhaps get more headlines, it’s the all-round performances of Griezmann that has seen his stock rise at the World Cup.
No N’Golo Kante? No bother. Griezmann can fill his void. The presence and ball-carrying qualities of Paul Pogba? Once again, no worries, because the former Barca star is playing that role.
Then, when he gets into the final third, as he proved against England, he can make that ball talk and he did it when it mattered most following his wicked cross that was headed in by Olivier Giroud.
Either way, Griezmann has been one of the best players at the World Cup, but with Lionel Messi also cooking in the colours of Argentina, then that best player award might fall into his hands instead.
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