When Paris Saint-Germain decided to say goodbye to their former captain Thiago Silva, all eyes were on Presnel Kimpemebe to see whether he was ready to take over one of the central defender positions alongside Marquinhos.
A few months into the season, the 25-year-old seems to be fitting in comfortably as the number two center-back behind the capital club captain. Furthermore, Kimpemebe is now featuring in the starting eleven for the France National Team over the last few UEFA Nationa League fixtures.
If this form from the France international continues, he could find himself starting this summer for Didier Deschamps when UEFA Euro 2020 gets underway. Nonetheless, for former Chelsea FC defender Frank Leboeuf, Kimpembe is already a world-class defender.
During a Téléfoot (via Canal Supporters) broadcast, Leboeuf made it known that Kimpembe should start France alongside Raphaël Varane. He adds that the PSG defender has taken two steps in his development to become one of the better French defenders.
“Kimpembe has taken two steps. I think he has a great maturity and it happens at the right time,” said Leboeuf. “PSG lost a leader with Thiago Silva and he really won. It is true that there is this questioning between Danilo and Marquinhos but for me, the real boss of defense has become Kim as Didier Deschamps affectionately says. I like it a lot, as much in its placement as in its thinking, its technical level. He became very, very calm, a lot in thought. He really has a global level.”
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