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Country Calling For Proud Kemen
Written by Newcastle Utd
Olivier Kemen has spoken of his pride at captaining France under-19s and believes it will help his club form
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Olivier Kemen aims to lead France into the European Under-19 Championships over the next week, before heading back to Tyneside a "stronger" and "more confident" player.
The teenage midfielder was named on the Magpies' substitutes' bench for the first time last weekend against Arsenal, and jetted straight out to his homeland to join up with the Les Bleus under-19 squad.
They face a trio of fixtures in the European Championship Elite Qualifying Round, starting against Azerbaijan on Thursday, followed by Denmark on Saturday and finishing against Freddie Woodman's England on Monday.
And Kemen is relishing the challenges that lay ahead.
"We have three tough games but I want to help us qualify for the Euros and then come back to Newcastle stronger and even more confident," the 18-year-old told nufc.co.uk.
"I'm very proud to represent my country. I am captain of this age group as well, and pulling on the national shirt and the armband means a lot to me.
"Playing for France can only stand me in a good way for when I return, and hopefully I have a good end to the season with Newcastle."