Retirement of Griezmann, absence of Mbappé, captaincy… Deschamps’ challenges facing a new era

If the French team had deliciously negotiated after the 2022 World Cup (8 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat), despite the international retirements of the captains represented by Hugo Lloris (145 caps) and Raphaël Varane (93 caps), the The equation looks different today. After the departure of Olivier Giroud (137 caps, 54 goals) at the end of the Euro, it was a legend of the France team, Antoine Griezmann (137 caps, 44 goals), who surprised all his world last Monday, when announcing the end of his blue adventure.

Also readAlain Giresse on Griezmann’s retirement: “France and football need players like him”

Causing an earthquake in the life of the selection. On and off the field, forcing Didier Deschamps to rethink an entire organization. Add to this the notable absence of Kylian Mbappé (86 caps, 48 ​​goals), club starter but withdrawal from the French team, and this international sequence, against Israel, Thursday, and Belgium, Monday, in the League of Nations confirms a state of affairs. A new era is dawning among the Blues. With many challenges for the coach to overcome.

1. Set a course on and off the field

After the disappointing Euro in terms of play, less on the result side (fourth semi-final in the last five international tournaments, including three finals), and a very uneven return against Italy (1-3) and Belgium (2 -0), Didier Deschamps must restart the machine, recreate…