Wesley Fofana is targeting a World Cup spot with France as he takes another major step this week in his comeback - with one eye on ousting Arsenal's William Saliba from the squad.
The Leicester centre-back made his first Premier League appearance of the term in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United after a broken leg and ankle ligament damage in pre-season. Fofana is set for his first back to back games inside a week when the Foxes host PSV Eindhoven in Europe on Thursday.
Fofana, 21, signed from St Etienne in October 2020 for £30million, also admits eyeing a senior international debut and place at Qatar. The highly-rated ace faces stiff competition from French stoppers Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde and Saliba, who were all in Didier Deschamps’ most recent squad.
Arsenal starlet Saliba, 21, made won his first cap coming off the bench in a friendly against the Ivory Coast before starting in a 5-0 thrashing of South Africa as he made a winning start to life as a French international. But it hasn't deterred Fofana who insists: “Les Bleus, frankly, is the next step and an objective.
“I can't say it's just an objective, because that would mean 'maybe in five years'. No, it's an objective, but it's also the next step. I want to get into the France team as soon as possible because I have the determination. I want to represent my country. I know that in December, there is a big tournament. I am determined to come back strongly for the World Cup in Qatar.”
Fofana and Jonny Evans are expected to resume their partnership in Leicester’s Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday. The pair played together at the heart of City's defence at Old Trafford in their first game in the same starting line-up since the FA Cup final last May.
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City boss Brendan Rodgers is hopeful they will be able to continue in the starting line-up against the Dutch outfit, but admits they may have to drop out when Crystal Palace visit the King Power Stadium on Sunday. "That's the plan," Rodgers said when asked if they could play in the Europa Conference League. "The game we will have to assess would be Crystal Palace because of the short turnaround."
Fofana is highly-rated at Leicester, who tied him down on a new five-year deal until 2027 in March, before he had even played a single game this season. His compatriot's future at Arsenal is not quite so clear with Saliba adamant he will not settle for playing second fiddle much longer. The Marseille loanee told L'Equipe last week: "I definitely can’t settle for being on the bench at Arsenal and being happy I haven’t played a lot with the Gunners. The manager made his choice, that’s life.
"I left on loan, I’m playing a lot of matches and thanks to my performances, I’ve become a full international. What happened to me has seen me forge a stronger mentality. It’s not because you cost €30m that you’re going to play. I see things positively. Even if there are moments where you ask yourself questions. For six months, I could see I was the only one in the squad that wasn’t playing, that would hurt."
