“I’m not his biggest fan.”
Graeme Souness went on a bizarre rant about about the current French team, claiming that Gareth Southgate shouldn’t be afraid of them, and that Oliver Giroud is “lucky”.
Giroud scored twice in France’s opening game, and those two goals saw him equal Thierry Henry’s record as the country’s all-time top scorer.
With just one more goal to go and a whole tournament to play, it’s hard to see any way the the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker won’t find the net at least once more.
However, his exploits in a France jersey and the French team themselves have not impressed Souness, despite the fact that they are the current World Cup champions.
“They [Denmark] are going into the game full of confidence, they have beaten them twice in the last six months,” Souness told ITV. “There will be no inferiority complex, they will fancy themselves.
“I know they are the current world champions but when I look at them on paper; I know you can look at teams on paper and think they are going to win every game they play, but I look at that French team and if I was Gareth Southgate I am not frightened of that French team.
“I am really not. I would be frightened of him [Mbappe], one-on-one he is going to run past anyone. But I don’t think on paper anyway, unless they gel and they all come together and play out of their skins, I am looking at their midfield, they’re the ones that are looking to be creative.
“It wouldn’t frighten me. If I was picked today, I wouldn’t be frightened of them.”
Not content with picking on the holders of the competition, Souness felt compelled to single out Giroud as well.
“I’m not his biggest fan. Seven games in a World Cup in the team that wins it and he didn’t even have a shot on target. I think he’s very lucky.
“His record is there for one reason, and one reason only: Benzema being out for such long time over the controversy he was involved in.
“Benzema is completely on another level.”
Related links:
- Graeme Souness labels part of Gareth Bale’s career as a joke in harsh analysis
- You’ll learn more if you listen’ Souness scolds Keane like the bold child in class
- Graeme Souness goes out of his way to remind British viewers of Irish treatment live on ITV
