France U21 captain Enzo Millot ‘flattered’ by Didier Deschamps interest

Enzo Millot (22) is knocking on the door of France’s senior side. The Stuttgart midfielder, now captain of the France U21 side has told L’Équipe that he is “flattered” by the interest that Didier Deschamps has shown in him.

Millot has taken a route now well-travelled for young French players by making an early move from Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga. “I am not someone who has regrets. You move forward and give 100% so you avoid having regrets. I was told that it was a bit early to leave for Germany but I assumed that,” said the AS Monaco academy product.

He left the Principality club back in 2021 at the age of just 19 for a nominal fee having played just three games for the first team. Since arriving at VfB Stuggart, he has made 79 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals and registering 16 assists. Off the back of a strong showing for Les Bleus under Thierry Henry’s tutelage at the Olympic Games, Millot has hit the ground running in Germany this season, scoring five goals in his first nine games in all competitions. 

That form has seen him handed the armband for the France U21 side, whilst it has also caught the attention of Deschamps. Asked if Millot and Bleuet teammate Maghnes Akliouche, who also came through the ranks at Monaco, were close to a senior team call-up, Deschamps replied:

“Yes and no. It is linked to competition. They need to keep doing what they are doing,” said the France manager. Speaking to L’Équipe, Millot has now responded, “I saw that he said I had to keep going. He is right, I won’t let up. It is flattering to see the manager speak about me because it shows that he is watching the matches and that he is following me. I need to keep performing now,” said Millot. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle