The French national team is fortunate to have high-quality players throughout its lineup. This applies to both those who have been selected and those who have not made the squad for Euro 2024.
Notably, Les Bleus possess remarkable depth at the centre-back position, with some outstanding players not even making the roster for this summer’s major tournament.
The four centre-backs chosen by Didier Deschamps for Euro 2024 are William Saliba from Arsenal, Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich, Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, and Jules Kounde from Barcelona. It should be noted that PSG’s Lucas Hernandez is unavailable for the tournament due to a knee injury sustained earlier in the season.
Their squad for the summer Olympics, which will take place in Paris, includes some of the finest young centre-backs in global football. Among them is Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig, a highly coveted player linked with many of Europe’s top clubs. Another notable prospect is Maxime Esteve, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Burnley.
Additionally, there is another centre-back in the Olympics squad who is attracting interest from top European clubs this summer, with Liverpool being one of the teams eager to secure this promising young talent.
Liverpool’s Defender Shortlist
The player being discussed is Leny Yoro, a defender for Lille and the France U23 team. At 18 years old, he made a significant impact for Lille last season, making him one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe this summer.
Among the clubs interested in Yoro is Liverpool, who are actively pursuing a deal, according to Graeme Bailey.
Bailey notes that Liverpool are closely monitoring his development this summer, with the potential deal being more appealing due to his contract expiring in a year.
However, Liverpool are not alone in their interest in Yoro. Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also eager to sign the defender, though it is possible that none of the three clubs will succeed.
Yoro reportedly prefer to join Real Madrid and has communicated to other interested clubs that he prefers a move to the Spanish and European champions. He would also favour a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu over a move to Paris Saint Germain and the Parc des Princes.
Why Yoro Would Be an Excellent Addition
Football analyst Ben Mattinson took to X to draw a comparison between Yoro and another young French defender, Arsenal’s Saliba. Mattinson highlighted that the 18-year-old exhibits the “same dominance” as Arsenal’s number two did at a similar age. He also praised Yoro as an “insane” player who has the potential to be valued at £100m in the near future. Quite a prediction.
In the 2023/24 season, Yoro was a key player for Lille, appearing in 32 Ligue 1 matches and scoring twice. His defensive contributions were significant, as he was involved in 15 clean sheets, a figure only surpassed by Nice, who achieved 17 clean sheets, according to Sofascore.
Yoro’s skill with the ball is particularly impressive, as he maintains possession with ease. Data from Fbref indicates that he averages a 92.1% pass accuracy per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 5% of Ligue 1 centre-backs. This accuracy comes from completing 58.28 passes per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 16%.
| Yoro Ligue 1 season by numbers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Number |
| Games | 32 |
| Minutes | 2,672 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Clean sheets | 15 |
| Stats from Transfermarkt | |
The standout feature of the Lille sensation is his lanky frame. At 6 foot 2, the 18-year-old effectively uses his height to his advantage, frequently “reaching and sweeping in last-man tackles,” as Mattinson described.
According to Sofascore, he averaged 3.9 ball recoveries per 90 minutes last season in Ligue 1, showcasing his ability to leverage his long frame. Additionally, he’s not hesitant to engage in 50/50 duels, winning an average of 1.8 ground duels per 90 minutes.
There is no doubt that signing Yoro would bolster Liverpool’s center-back options. With Joel Matip departing Anfield at the end of his contract, the 18-year-old could step in and fill the void left by the Cameroonian.
Yoro would join the ranks of fellow countryman Konate, Joe Gomez, and captain Virgil van Dijk, providing new manager Arne Slot with robust defensive options.
What makes Yoro particularly appealing is his resemblance to Saliba. Although it seems highly improbable that Saliba will ever leave Arsenal, signing the French youth international could provide Liverpool with a player of similar quality, potentially securing their defense for many years ahead.
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