Two last outings before getting down to business, here is what awaits the French team at the end of September. Before putting their world title in Qatar, from November 20 to December 18, the Blues will, in fact, end their Nations League campaign with two posters: Austria at the Stade de France, on September 22 and Denmark, three days later, at Parken Stadium. For these last two meetings and while France is very badly embarked in its group (last with two small points), Didier Deschamps, present this Thursday at the headquarters of the FFF, has just communicated the list of selected players.
A group of 23 players and several lessons. With this in mind, if Benoît Badiashile, Youssouf Fofana and Randal Kolo Muani were called up for the first time and Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembélé can congratulate themselves on making their comeback, others experienced an early afternoon much more frustrating. Like Boubacar Kamara, transferred to Aston Villa during the last summer transfer window and absent from this list. Summoned during the last rally, the former Marseille midfielder could indeed claim a place in the France group, which is more with the packages of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté. It is ultimately nothing.
The World goes away for Digne, Kamara and Ben Yedder!
Accused of having possibly blocked the new Villans player from Senegal, the tricolor technician, however, wanted to clarify the situation. “I’ve never done that, either with him or another player. Players who have bi-nationality, they have this freedom and at no time do I take a player to prevent him from going with another national team. If I take it, it’s because it’s the moment in relation to my needs. Of course, there are also circumstances and competition. But I only do it for the France team, never against another selection.. A – rather – surprising absence which is added to that of Lucas Digne, Moussa Diaby or Wissam Ben Yedder, three other “forgotten” from this list.
“He is going through a period that is not the best for him. He was called regularly with us. The situation is special there too, it does not prevent me from seeing other players too. These are not players who are used to coming., assured Didier Deschamps about the Monegasque striker. If the players mentioned above can be directly considered “big losers”, others will also have some regrets to feed. This is particularly the case of Wesley Fofana. Recruited by Chelsea in Leicester against 82 M€, the 21-year-old central defender could also expect a nice surprise. However, despite the 9 defenders called up by DD – Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Münich), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Jonathan Clauss (OM), William Saliba (Arsenal), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benoît Badiashile (AS Monaco), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Münich) – the new Blues recruit will not be one.
A great message sent by the French coach, who is also a few weeks away from the 2022 World Cup. Comparable situation for OL’s two summer recruits: Corentin Tolisso (28), back after being injured at the start of the season, and Alexandre Laxazette (31), decisive in the Rhone jersey. Arrived free at Stade Rennais this summer, Steve Mandanda also had the ambition to return to the Blues. Finally, Didier Deschamps preferred Alphonse Areola to him. The former OM doorman then added to a list of several names who, too, could have imagined seeing or seeing Clairefontaine again: Martin Terrier, Pierre Kalulu, Alban Lafont, Valentin Rongier, Thomas Lemar or Khéphren Thuram…