Coupet Says Barthez Is Too Old. Plus: Benzema’s Okay!

In the continuing Coupet-Barthez saga, Coupet is now dismissing Barthez as too old. Well, not in so many words. But in an interview with Soccer365 he does say, “I am not worried. I am more concerned about the youngsters who are pushing me hard than Barthez.”

(I would tend to agree with him. Although Barthez looked pretty spry last weekend at Nantes.)

Coupet also said that even if he’s called up in international play as the number two keeper again , he’d still be there. Even if the number one were Barthez. (You’ll remember that Coupet famously left training last summer when Barthez was picked for the World Cup team, only to return shortly afterwards.)

“If it happens, I will not leave,” he said. “The France team, it is still a dream for everyone. I have dreamt about it since the age of six, seven. At 34, the same feeling exists.”

Wow. Maturity. Refreshing.

Hang in there, Grégory!

And in good news, Soccer365 also reports today that the Benzema injury I mentioned yesterday was no big deal, and he should be back in training by “the end of the week.” Let’s see. Looking at my calendar… Yup, it’s well before the France-Argentina friendly on Feb. 7. Go, Karim!