Two Liverpool players. One France squad. But while Bradley Barcola is no stranger to Les Bleus, Jérémy Jacquet is stepping into international territory for the very first time.
Do you think Jérémy Jacquet will gain many minutes for France during the international break?
Liverpool’s French connection is growing stronger by the week, and now Bradley Barcola and Jérémy Jacquet will take that partnership onto the international stage after both were named in France’s latest squad.
Places With Les Bleus
For Barcola, a place with Les Bleus is familiar territory. For Jacquet, however, this is different. The 21-year-old centre-back has received his first senior France call-up, completing another remarkable step in a career that has accelerated rapidly since his summer arrival at Anfield.
REUTERS/Phil NobleLiverpool Playing Time
Jacquet has wasted little time making himself at home in England. He has started all four of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this season, playing 327 league minutes and helping establish himself as a genuine first-team option rather than simply one for the future.
His performance against Fulham perhaps summed up why France have taken notice. Jacquet produced a crucial goal-line block to deny Gonzalo García before later stopping the same player with another excellent intervention during the 0-0 draw at Anfield.
He has looked equally comfortable in Europe. Against Atlético Madrid, Jacquet completed 48 of his 49 passes, a 98 per cent completion rate, while making three tackles and completing all three of his attempted clearances.
Barcola’s Liverpool story is only just beginning. The 24-year-old completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain on August 31 and made his debut four days later, coming off the bench during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
He has since made four appearances in all competitions, including two Premier League outings and his first Champions League start against Atlético Madrid. He is still waiting for his first Liverpool goal or assist, but there have already been flashes of the direct running and unpredictability that made him such an exciting addition.
Against Fulham, Barcola created an early opportunity for Alexander Isak and continued to offer Liverpool an outlet from wide areas.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell Liverpool Teammates Together
Now the two Liverpool teammates head away together. Bradley Barcola is already established at international level, but for Jacquet this represents something much bigger: the chance to pull on the senior France shirt for the very first time.
From Rennes growing prospect to Liverpool starter and potentially a full France international in a matter of months, Jérémy Jacquet’s rise shows absolutely no sign of slowing down.
Do you think Jérémy Jacquet will gain many minutes for France during the international break? Leave you thoughts and comments below.
