— Leonardo Jardim says he cannot guarantee Eagles star’s first spot
Monaco new coach Leonardo Jardim has said Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile will again have to fight for a first-team place in his team with France youngster Layvin Kurzawa.
Last season, Italian coach Claudio Ranieri preferred France U21 star Kurzawa at left back to the more experienced Elderson, who joined the French Ligue 1 side from Sporting Braga of Portugal in the winter.
Jardim worked with the Eagles star at Braga, but he maintained his target is to have a squad of competitive players and not a starting XI if Monaco were to achieve their targets for the new season.
“What is most important is to have a group of 17, 18, 19 competitive players, not just a team of 11,” answered Jardim when he was asked by France Football who will be his first-choice at left back between the Nigeria international and Kurzawa.
Both players have played in that position in pre-season in Colombia and Miami.
Monaco, who will open their French Ligue 1 campaign against Lorient on August 10, are now billed to feature in the Emirates Cup in London against Arsenal and Valencia by next weekend.
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