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EXCLUSIVE: I Dream Of Playing For France – Toulouse Midfielder Etienne Capoue

After watching team-mates Andre-Pierre Gignac and Moussa Sissoko turn out for the national team, Capoue wants to experience the pride of receiving a call-up.

Aug 14, 2009 12:20:43 PM

Ligue 1 : Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) vs Etienne Capoue (Toulouse)

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Ligue 1 : Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) vs Etienne Capoue (Toulouse)

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Etienne Capoue

Toulouse proved to be one of the shock sides of Ligue 1 in season 2008-09, charging to fourth in the table, and young midfielder Etienne Capoue was a vital component of their success. Now the 21-year-old anchoring midfielder has spoken of his desire to see le Tefece reach similar heights again, but also of his personal goals, one of which is to follow team-mates Andre-Pierre Gignac and Moussa Sissoko into the national side.

Gignac scored the only goal of France’s World Cup qualifying match against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday evening, while Sissoko, two years Capoue’s junior, received his first call-up to the senior side for the same tie. This has fired the enthusiasm of the Niort-born player, but he is prepared to be patient.

“It's great for them,” Capoue told Goal.com France, referring to his comrades. “If TFC sends players to the French team that proves not only that it is a great club but it also gives everyone an additional motivation.

“Of course [I want to play France], but I am someone who works in the long-term. I don’t care about it yet, I just want to have a good season first.”

Capoue certainly enjoyed an excellent campaign last time out, helping the men from the Pink City greatly as they pushed into the upper echelons of Ligue 1. Such success has brought with it Europa League football, and the youngster hopes his side can do well, though he is wary of their tricky play-off tie.

“There is no such thing as a good draw or a bad draw,” he mused, mulling over the forthcoming tie against Trabzonspor. “They are a Turkish team that qualified for the Europa League, so they are at a level. It will be a very good test for us, with respect to the rest of our season.”

The last time Toulouse qualified for Europe, in season 2007-08, they ended up facing a relegation battle in the league. Capoue and has team-mates will be determined that doesn’t happen again this season.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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