Manchester City’s French midfielder Samir Nasri can use his flair and attacking creativity in central midfield to fire his country to next year’s World Cup, according to Didier Deschamps.
Nasri, 26, has been at the Etihad Stadium for two seasons and won the Premier League title in the 2011-12 season, but has not played for France in a year.
Now having received a recall for Les Bleus for Wednesday’s clash against Belgium, France coach Deschamps believes the versatility Nasri has shown for his club merits a second chance at international level.
“His skills can be as useful to the French national team as they are to his team,ManchesterCity,” Deschamps told Goal.com.
“He’s able to play from different positions. He’s not exactly a midfielder. He can play on the right, on the left, or in the hole.”
Nasri joined the Citizens from Arsenal in 2011 for around £25million and has scored 11 goals in 83 appearances for City.
Now under new manager Manuel Pellegrini at City, Nasri believes his French redemption is the product of a year’s hard graft in Manchester.
“I was away for a year. Now I’m ready to enjoy things,” he explained.
“I’m back with a low profile, I’ve got nothing to claim and I’ll do what I’m told to. I owe him a lot. And that’s it, I’m here to enjoy these moments.
“If he wants me to play on the right, I’m fine. On the left I’m fine too. I’m fine In the hole. And if I’m on the bench, that will be fine too.”
Image courtesy of CityTV, via Youtube, with thanks.
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