World Cup 2022: Italian Coach Puts Rabiot Next to Mbappe in France Squad

• Kylian Mbappe is arguably France's most important player at the World Cup right now
• A former Italy manager says Adrian Rabiot is the second-most critical player for Les Bleus
• Rabiot has contributed a goal and an assist from the midfield for his country in Qatar so far

France are inching closer to defending their world title, after beating England 2-1 to qualify for the semi-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe is France's most important player at the tournament, having contributed to the team's progress with five goals and two assists in five games.

Olivier Giroud has scored four goals, becoming the leading goal scorer in the process, while Antoine Griezmann has assisted three goals but is yet to score.

Despite all of these exploits, former Italy manager Alberto Zaccheroni has placed Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot as the next most important player in the squad after Mbappe.

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Zaccheroni: Rabiot next to Mbappe

The former Juventus manager has made an audacious claim about the importance of Rabiot to Les Bleus' chances in Qatar.

Rabiot is an ever-present figure in the French midfield, after injuries ruled out the duo of Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante - part of the winning side at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Zaccheroni was speaking to Radio 24 as quoted by Football Italia, questioning why Juventus don't appreciate Rabiot enough and want to push him out.

“I don’t understand why in Italy, there is so little love for Rabiot. He is having an incredible World Cup. The Juventus midfielder is the most important player for France at this tournament after Mbappé,” he said.

Some find it hard to agree with Zaccheroni, as all evidence suggests Giroud and Griezmann are ahead in terms of importance to the French national team.

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Rabiot expresses Premier League dream

Sports Brief earlier reported that Rabiot revealed his Premier League dream, after having a proposed move to Manchester United fail in the summer.

Juventus and Manchester United agreed on a transfer fee, but the club could not reach an agreement on personal terms with the player's camp and the deal collapsed.

Rabiot remained at Juventus and is one of Max Allegri's most important players this season, as the Italian manager fights for his job due to issues plaguing the club.