That RC Lens shot-stopper Brice Samba earned his first France call-up was no surprise to long-time AS Saint-Étienne goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo.
Alonzo also turned out for Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, winning three cups with the former in the early 2000s before hanging his gloves up with FC Nantes in 2011.
Now a consultant with Amazon Prime, the 50-year-old has been running the rule over goalkeepers in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season, and Samba has been singled out for special praise.
"First, Brice Samba is a pleasure on the eyes!" he said when asked who would be his top three in the position this season. "Anthony Lopes and Pau Lopez, for his progress in one year…"
Samba has kept 11 clean sheets in 21 Ligue 1 Uber Eats games this season, helping les Sang et Or up to third in the table behind PSG and OM.
"I'm not surprised by what Brice Samba is doing in Lens," Alonzo continued. "I knew he was very good. And we see that it's not a flash in the pan, contrary to what some people said at the start.
"He's a goalkeeper who has a huge mentally. He still has this crazy side with his one-handed saves, but it's part of his personality. He wants to steal the show. I love that!"
Samba, whose father Brice played in goal for DR Congo, was called up by Didier Deschamps for the latest round of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, and could make his debut against the Republic of Ireland on Monday.
>>FEATURE: One to watch: Lens' Brice Samba, France's new goalkeeper
