Special correspondent in Amsterdam
Cap on his head, glasses on the end of his nose and speech marked with serenity, Jonathan Clauss does not shy away from his pleasure on Friday evening just before leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena. It must be said that the Marseille full-back, missed last year on the list for the World Cup in Qatar, has come a long way. Missing for a year and more recalled by Didier Deschamps, the 31-year-old former Lensois reappeared through the front door during the success against the Netherlands (1-2) by delivering a clean and hopeful copy. In a position that neither Jules Koundé nor Benjamin Pavard appreciate, Clauss now poses as a more than credible alternative after his exit from Amsterdam. It’s up to him to confirm, from Tuesday, against Scotland in a friendly?
SEE ALSO – “We did the job,” assures Jonathan Clauss after the victory of the Blues against the Netherlands (1-2)
Present in front of the media before taking the bus and the plane with his partners towards Lille with the French team on Friday evening, Jonathan Clauss broadcast the image of a more mature and serene boy in an international context which is unforgiving the wanderings. He paid to know. Hence his change of attitude in gestures and speech. The rookie full of freshness has given way to the international eager to count. With his trainer and to inspire the respect of his partners. “The coach spoke to me about the fact that the defensive aspect was more important than the offensive,” he admits on a track record that was perfectly respected in view of the duel fought and won against Xavi Simons in particular. Now, it’s part of my game (to project myself). I don’t know if I scored any points but I’m quite happy based on my first feelings after the match. »
Relaunched on his way of approaching this international sequence, the first since September 2022, the current best player at OM admits to having changed his approach. “Yes because the dream is over. I arrived focused. I put my emotions aside and that was important for me and to show the group that I’m not there anymore just to look cute on TV. » For example, he rejected all requests for individual interviews with Clairefontaine to concentrate completely on his meeting, aware of already playing part of his presence during the Euro (June 14-July 14). Behind the scenes, in his daily preparation, he continues to work on his placement in a four-man defense, a position he has held in Marseille for more than a season now.
On the ground in Amsterdam, because that’s where it happens and what matters in Deschamps’ mind, Clauss did… Clauss. Applied in his replacements, voluntary and disciplined, he was able to combine with Kingsley Coman on the right side, like Mbappé’s first goal on a precise service from him in the 7th minute. The main person involved says: “I wanted to be less in the dream than the first times: I put emotions aside, to be ready for this match. On my assist, I don’t even know if I’m celebrating or not.” The Marseillais was not content with his offering, consistently providing solutions to the ball carrier on the right, while not forgetting the defensive tasks.
Deschamps tirelessly repeats his wish to see the full-backs defend before knowing how to attack, Clauss offered the complete package on Friday evening under the roof of the Johan Cruyff Arena. Criticized, sometimes unfairly, for his defensive shortcomings in a four-man defense, the main player brought everyone into agreement in a major international meeting. Promises which do not assure him anything at all, he knows what we are talking about after having cried upon learning of his non-call-up to the last World Cup, but which allow him to exist in the discussions. Deschamps appreciated it and didn’t hide it.
“Jonathan had a lot of technical ease, good offensive participation,” analyzes the coach, who with Clauss has a new card behind a Jules Koundé who is much more comfortable in the center and a Benjamin Pavard who also wants to refocus. He has the right balance, he made a lot of effort, it was starting to work. He had tension in his thighs, that’s why I took him out. He seeks to verticalize, to move forward. It offers a very interesting profile. » Enough to shake up the hierarchy and advance as a possible starter at the Euro next summer? There are five games left (Scotland, Gibraltar, Greece and two matches in March) for Jonathan Clauss to provide all the answers. In Amsterdam, he made a date for the future.
