Martin Terrier certainly could have considered himself rather hard done by when Didier Deschamps whittled down his France squad to a chosen 23 ahead of June’s UEFA Nations League clashes with Denmark, Austria and Croatia.
After scoring 21 goals for Rennes across 2021/22, surely Terrier was worthy of a first ever international cap? A call-up, at the very least?
Instead, the closest he came was a place in Deschamps’ provisional squad; Omitted from the final selection alongside Rennes team-mate Benjamin Bourigeaud.
Now, there is no doubt that Terrier enjoyed a more successful season at club level than, say, Antoine Griezmann. But, as far as Deschamps is concerned, a proven track record on the international stage trumps form.
If you were ever wondering why Moussa Sissoko had a staggering 71 caps for one of Europe’s biggest nations, wonder no more.
Does Martin Terrier need a fresh start in the Premier League?
Interest from Leeds United and West Ham in Terrier, then, should give the former Lyon youngster plenty of food for thought. Rennes chief Olivier Cloarec insisted a couple of weeks ago that the late-blooming 25-year-old wanted to stay at Roazhon Park for the time being.
But Terrier will know, deep down, that a big-money move to the Premier League may be his best hope of twisting Deschamps’ arm ahead of the Qatar World Cup (L’Equipe).
“He’s a complete player,” Rennes team-mate Gaetan Laborde said of Terrier.
Whether thumping home long range curlers, smashing in from the angle or finishing coolly one-on-one, there doesn’t seem to be a finish Terrier didn’t master during that exceptional 2021/22 campaign. According to Laborde, however, there is far more to the one-time Everton target than sticking the ball in the back of the net.
“His number one quality is his passing, and his free kicks,” Laborde adds. “He defends, he can play left, right or in the middle of the park. He runs a lot, he has a great engine, he’s intelligent, and he’s gifted. That’s a lot of qualities.
“It’s rare to have a player like that.”
A ‘rare’ talent
Rennes’ £34 million asking price means Leeds would have to part with a club-record transfer fee. Given that the Yorkshire giants were willing to meet Club Brugge’s demands for another free-scoring forward – Charles de Ketelaere – a £30 million-plus fee is unlikely to have Andrea Radrizzani running for the hills.
What’s more, with West Ham closing in on their number one target, Leeds appear to have something of a free run at Terrier.
BBC Sport claim that Armando Broja is flying home from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America. He is set to hold talks with the Hammers this week. And Terrier shares more than enough similarities with the athletic, versatile Broja to suggest that, as far as West Ham are concerned, it’s a case of one or the other.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were both linked in May. Liverpool have since brought in Darwin Nunez from Benfica, however, while Richarlison swapped Everton for North London. Two more obstacles cleared from the path.
Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Raphinha all became internationals at Elland Road. Something that is unlikely to pass Terrier by as he looks to ensure Deschamps can ignore him no longer.
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