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SportsNantes coach Der Zakarian names new signing Dupé as No.1 goalkeeper ahead of returning Lafont
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FC Nantes head coach Michel Der Zakarian has publicly declared that newly recruited goalkeeper Maxime Dupé is his first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of returning loanee Alban Lafont. Lafont, 27, returned to training on Wednesday after participating in the 2025 World Cup with Ivory Coast and spending last season on loan at Panathinaikos, where he played 37 matches. The Greek club did not exercise their option to keep him, and Lafont remains under contract with Nantes until 2027. Der Zakarian stated, 'The priority is Max (Dupé) today, not Alban (Lafont).' When asked about a potential departure for Lafont, the coach acknowledged it is possible but said if he stays, he will train with the team. Dupé, 33, joined Nantes this summer from Nice. Lafont has played 198 matches for Nantes across all competitions since arriving in 2021.
Source report
Two days before FC Nantes' second summer friendly against Lorient on Saturday (5 PM) in Vannes, head coach Michel Der Zakarian faced the press at the Jonelière training center.
Lafont Returns from World Cup Duty
Der Zakarian was questioned about goalkeeper Alban Lafont, who returned to training on Wednesday after participating in the World Cup with Ivory Coast, where the team was eliminated in the round of 16.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who joined Nantes in 2021, is coming off a season on loan at Panathinaikos, where he featured in 37 matches across all competitions. However, the Greek club chose not to retain him. Lafont remains under contract with FC Nantes until 2027.
Dupé Named Number One
In Der Zakarian's mind, the hierarchy is clear: Maxime Dupé (33), who arrived this summer from Nice, is his first-choice goalkeeper.
"He (Lafont) is here with us today, it's up to him to work. He was at the World Cup, he came back quite quickly, he wanted to work. The priority is Max (Dupé) today, not Alban (Lafont)," said Der Zakarian.
Possible Departure Not Ruled Out
When pressed on whether Lafont could leave the club, Der Zakarian stated:
"Yes, of course. But if he ends up staying, he will train with us and then we'll see."
Lafont has played 198 matches across all competitions for FC Nantes.
Source
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footWestern
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