George Baker
Solskjaer reveals why he allowed Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly to leave for the Olympics
According to Mirror, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained why he allowed Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo to leave for the Olympics. The United gaffer chose to take a different route from rivals Liverpool, who did not allow Mo Salah to join Egypt’s squad.
Ivory Coast have called up Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly for their games in the Olympics where they will play Saudi Arabia, Germany and Brazil. The group stage will last from 22nd July to 28th July. Bailly is one of the three over-aged players in the side.
Their participation in the Tokyo games means that they will miss all five preseason games and probably the start of the season. While Bailly and Amad aren’t really starting XI players, Solskjaer would have liked to have them over the pre-season to get a better idea of them.
The Norwegian explained why he did not do the same thing as Liverpool who barred Salah from linking up with Egypt.
“I think everyone, when they grow up, watches the Olympics and can see Usain Bolt or Ryan Giggs. I saw him play in the Olympics [for Great Britain in 2012]! When your country calls you up, I think I can’t stand in the way of that boyhood dream being fulfilled.
“Of course, Eric is over-age but I think they can see the value of him and that’s why they brought him in. Amad is a young, exciting prospect. It’ll be good to see them. It’ll be their pre-season but they’ve got to come back with a medal. We need a nice feel about the place when they come back!”
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This is definitely a bold decision from Solskjaer given that the players could get injured. However, international football is also important as Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly did not have any tournaments like most of the others who featured in the Euros and Copa America. Only time will tell if Solskjaer made the correct call.
