With the U21 Euro taking place this summer, many players are trying to show at their clubs that they deserve to be at their national team.
At France, Leeds United star Illan Meslier seems to be leading the competition for a starting spot, since he was their number one in the qualifying rounds and kept a clean sheet in the friendlies he took part after that.
But when speaking to the French media on Tuesday (via Le11hd), Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier claimed he’ll also be in the fight for that place.
The 21-year-old claims to be up for the challenge, even though he acknowledges that the Leeds player may be better positioned for the role at this moment.
“I stand ready! Regarding the Euro, I arrived a little later in Espoirs than Illan, who is having a good season with Leeds. He did qualifying, he did everything. If he has to play, he will play and that’s normal, he has a status,” said Chevalier.
“We don’t know what can happen before the end of the season. If I am called upon and I have to play, I’ll play. Afterwards, next year, I would still be eligible for Paris 2024. I’m ready and I try to be good every weekend, I will be rewarded.”
Chevalier only played in a couple of friendlies for France’s U21. Those were the 1-1 draw with Norway and the 4-0 defeat to England.
Meslier, meanwhile, holds a better record. Since the qualifiers started in September 2021, he has never conceded a goal, not even in the recent friendlies against Germany and Spain.
Therefore, it’s hard to find a reason to take him out of the team right now.
