Pierre Lees-Melou (30) is in contention for the Ligue 1 player of the season award. The influential Frenchman has been dominant in Stade Brestois’ midfield, leading the Breton club’s surprise charge towards the UEFA Champions League places.
“He is a player that is very important in our sporting project. At Norwich, he played through the middle, like he does today, but he has benefitted from experience; he’s like a fine wine,” Brest sporting director Grégory Lorenzi told us back in February. The former Norwich City man has excelled and following his winner against Le Havre AC last weekend, which consolidates Les Ty Zéfs’ second place in the top-flight, Eric Roy lobbied for a France call-up.
“He is someone exceptional, who hovers over the team and over Ligue 1. For me, in the position he plays in, there is no equivalence in France. He can play everywhere and deserves even to have a selection [for the national side],” reacted Roy, who has had a revolutionary impact on the club since arriving just over 18 months ago.
However, speaking to Télégramme, Lees-Melou sought to play down talk of a call-up for Les Bleus, just months ahead of the Euros in Germany. “I’m not thinking about it. To be honest, I have never even dreamed about it because the step is too big,” began the Frenchman.
He added, “It was already a dream to become a pro. The manager went a bit far (laughs). I’m not thinking about [a call-up] and I don’t think I’ll be there. For me, there is no debate.” There is just one international break ahead of the Euros, with Didier Deschamps naming his squad for friendlies against Germany and Chile on 14th March.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle