Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf has cast his eye over the wider World Cup picture and the summer transfer window's most intriguing storylines.
Leboeuf has backed Michael Olise as a genuine Galactico signing for Real Madrid , revealed his own regret at turning down a move to the Bernabeu , and assessed whether Ibrahima Konate can rediscover his best form in Madrid .
The former World Cup winner has also weighed in on Bradley Barcola to Arsenal , Maxence Lacroix 's future at Crystal Palace , and why Morocco are his pick to go deepest among the African nations at this summer's tournament.
Real Madrid
Is Olise a Galactico Signing?
Michael Olise a Galactico? It's possible. I'm thinking about who plays in his position on the right side, and in fact, there is nobody. So yes, there is room for Olise , and that would be great for Real Madrid , for sure, though very bad for Bayern Munich .
With the current talk surrounding the club elections, we hear all sorts of rumours, some silly, like Erling Haaland going to Real Madrid . I spoke to some people I know in Norway , and that is untrue, or at the very least, a huge surprise. But to be honest, if Olise goes to Real Madrid , it would be fantastic for both him and the club, as Real Madrid is still perhaps the best club in the world in terms of history.
I refused to go to Real Madrid in '99 because I was at Chelsea . That's maybe the only regret that I have. But I made a good choice because I would have played alongside Fernando Hierro , but we weren't made to play together because we played the same way. Looking back, it would have been nice, especially because straight after that, Ranieri came to Chelsea , and I felt a new era beginning. I should have tried, but you simply cannot refuse to go to Real Madrid . It's a great club with a great stadium.
Konate to Real Madrid: Good Move?
Ibrahima Konate was one of the best defenders in the world a year and a half ago. With Virgil van Dijk , that pairing was incredible. However, last season, both of them, along with many other Liverpool players, were only shadows of themselves. If Ibrahima can get back to his best, it would be fantastic for Real Madrid . He would be partnering with Dean Huijsen ; that would be great. I would love to see that pairing at their best. Now, I have my doubts, so I will have to wait and see how it works.
I saw the last game against Ivory Coast , and Ibrahima is still not quite there, which is sad because he is a fantastic player. I love the guy, his personality, and his mentality. He is a great player, but he needs to return to his best form. It is a good move for him after what he achieved at Liverpool .
I think Liverpool fans should say thank you to him, just as they should have for Trent Alexander-Arnold . There comes a time when players have the right to leave their clubs because they have served them 100%. Ibrahima gave everything, and Trent gave even more. Liverpool fans should thank them. When they come back, if they ever do, they deserve a standing ovation. That is what makes a club great. Liverpool is a different club with a different mentality; the fans should show that to the world. Don't be bitter when someone leaves; just be proud.
Arsenal
Barcola to Arsenal?
Bradley Barcola is a great option for Arsenal . There is also Warren Zaire-Emery , who could play as a number six, and I think that would be a great idea for any club to try to get him because those guys aren't in the first eleven, even though they've been there and Zaire-Emery has played. Barcola , for his pace and talent, he is fantastic. He still has an issue with finishing, which he has to improve because he has many chances but doesn't convert them. We saw that during the Champions League final when he had two big chances but ruined them.
Arsenal would be an interesting destination. But would Arsenal be interested in him on the left wing? It looks like Gabriel Martinelli might be moving on, so that could be something. But again, they have to serve the striker. What about Viktor Gyokeres ? I mean, they bought a striker, but they don't serve him. That's crazy. It's insane.
Bukayo Saka had some problems this season, but you bought a strong guy for crosses and everything, yet you don't have a crosser. They don't have a player who goes wide to cross; they just go diagonally toward the goal. Why did you buy Gyokeres if you aren't going to serve him? After that, the guy is criticised, but when I see him with his national team, he does well. I'm a little bit concerned about the fact that you might buy Barcola . Barcola won't serve Gyokeres ; he's not the type of winger who is going to cross the ball for the striker. You have to find the right chemistry.
Lacroix Future at Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace is one of the biggest clubs in Europe right now. I mean, they won a domestic trophy, and this season they won the Conference League . You have to respect that club. We've seen many players leave, yet they are still doing great. Congratulations to the board, the players, and the coach because the coach did an incredible job.
But it's true that they need money. So, if Maxence Lacroix can provide that, he will go. It's never been the goal for a top player to play or stay at Crystal Palace ; that's the reality. It's good for them, but Lacroix deserves to play for an elite-level team. He would be a great fit for Chelsea , by the way, but I don't think that's going to be the target. However, Lacroix is a great defender.
African Football
Who Goes Furthest From Africa?
I am very pleased, and I think it's only fair to see so many African teams in the World Cup in the future. It was completely unfair to the continent compared to Europe to not have the same amount of national teams. There are many teams that you can predict will do well. We saw Ivory Coast playing against France , and they did well. No doubt that Senegal will also be a hard team to beat. If I had to bet on one African team that can do very well, it is Morocco for sure, with the players they have and the team they have.
They are the runners-up of the African Cup of Nations . There are so many talents in that team, starting with their captain, Achraf Hakimi . You can predict that they are going to do very well. I have a feeling that Morocco can do the best, but I wish every African team well during the World Cup .
Can South Africa Surprise Anyone?
What can South Africa do? We can all agree that with three points and one win, you can go through. It is possible for them to do so, and I wish them the best. If you believe you can reach something, it is possible, and you can surprise everybody. We have seen that so many times. Overall, it's eleven men against eleven men. If you have the rage, power, and willingness to do something amazing, you have to believe in it.
If you already know you are going to lose, stay home. I am sure the players will be happy to show that to their country. It is a big chance for the so-called non-elite teams to reach the round of 32 and 16, especially with 48 teams for the first time. Take that chance, believe in yourself, and see what happens.
Lyle Foster: South Africa's Key Man?
If you play in the Premier League , like Lyle Foster does, it is because you are a great player; there are many great players in the best league in the world. Being hired by a Premier League club says a lot. If Foster can show the way to success or confidence to his teammates, that would be great. He needs to be a leader, and hopefully, he will behave like that and show the way.
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