Max-Alain Gradel, who faced an injury towards the end of last year, experienced a setback at the beginning of the championship with Saint-Etienne. However, the Ivorian international is now in good form with the team, although he is not consistently starting matches. This development comes as good news for the Ivory Coast national team, particularly with the Football World Cup in Brazil approaching in June.
Gradel’s resurgence has caught the attention of Elephants coach Sabri Lamouchi, who views him as a potential starter in future matches. “Even if he doesn’t feature in every game, I see Max-Alain as more than just a substitute,” Lamouchi shared with Fifa.com. He further elaborated, stating, “Within the team, he’s already well-integrated and serves as a bridge between different generations. He’s expected to assume significant responsibilities in the coming years, possibly filling the void left by the senior players.”
Such sentiments from Lamouchi suggest that Gradel may secure a spot among the 23 players representing Ivory Coast at the World Cup.
Tags: Ivory Coast, Elephants, Max-Alain Gradel, Sabri Lamouchi, Saint-Etienne, football, World Cup
