Liverpool target Bradley Barcola surprised peers with his behaviour in training, though there are suggestions it could make him even more appealing to Andoni Iraola's side
Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring a goal for France
Olivier Giroud has in the past outlined one trait in Bradley Barcola that makes him well-adjusted for dealing with pressure(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
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Bradley Barcola displayed one particular trait in training that blew his fellow France squad members away. And it's one that promises to benefit Liverpool greatly in the event he does move to Anfield at some point this summer.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger has been firmly linked with the Reds for more than a year now. And Olivier Giroud couldn't believe just how confident his compatriot was when he first made his entrance into France's senior setup in 2024.
After an encouraging debut season at the Parc des Princes, 23-year-old Barcola was rewarded with his first call-up to join Les Bleus. He wasn't the only youngster to leave an impression on Giroud due to his nonchalant manner around elite names, though he was perhaps the most significant.
"He’s a shy guy in the dressing room," Giroud wrote of Barcola in an April 2024 column for L'Equipe. "But he’s very intelligent. You have some people who talk a lot. But the guy who is shy...they see everything and, afterwards, if you give advice to that guy, he knows what he has to do.
"He has always been discreet off the field. He is someone who speaks little...What surprised me about him, and about today’s young players, is how confident they are during their early training sessions. Especially him.
"From the start, he showed what he’s capable of. You can see the potential. He still has room to grow, but he’s already very skilled in dribbling and penetration."
That much was clear to see at World Cup 2026, where Barcola doubled his international goal tally to six. He scored in wins over Senegal and Sweden before coming off the bench to bag in France's third-place play-off defeat to England.
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Bradley BARCOLA of France and Olivier GIROUD of France during the training session of France National Team at Home Deluxe Arena
Bradley BARCOLA of France and Olivier GIROUD of France during the training session of France National Team at Home Deluxe Arena on July 2, 2024 in Paderborn, Germany. (Photo by Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)(Image: Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
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Giroud, who was working for the BBC as a pundit throughout the tournament, will have been impressed by what he saw in the United States. Although he may not necessarily be surprised the Liverpool target has progressed as such.
His former team-mate is believed to be a top target for Andoni Iraola's side, particularly after RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid. Seeing another potential Mohamed Salah successor removed from the transfer wishlist may only accelerate Liverpool's pursuit of Barcola.
Reports in France have suggested Barcola has no intention of signing a PSG contract extension this summer despite being offered talks. However, Le Parisien has added to speculation by also insisting he has no intention of forcing his way out of the club.
It would certainly make Liverpool's job a lot easier if he were inclined to do so. However, Iraola and the Liverpool board may also hold a certain amount of respect for a player unwilling to go to those lengths to force a move.
Like former Arsenal and Chelsea ace Giroud, Barcola could soon swap the climes of Ligue 1 for the Premier League battleground. And his unshakeable nerve in the face of world-class competition may be one of his greatest strengths if he were to make the move to Anfield in the coming weeks.
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