Back to school and new faces. Apostle of continuity, Didier Deschamps has shaken up his habits to include three new names in his list, before two Nations League matches against Italy, at the Parc des Princes on Friday, September 6 (8:45 p.m.), then Belgium, Monday, September 9 in Lyon: Manu Koné, Michael Olise and Loïc Badé. The latter was not initially invited to the group, but benefited from Wesley Fofana’s withdrawal to earn himself a place in the France A team for the first time.
“I think it’s time to see as many players as possiblejustified the coach of the Blues when explaining the arrival of these new faces at Clairefontaine. We had a very young group at the Euro, which does not prevent quality, but to take steps forward, you have to see the players in action. These matches will be useful to many and it will perhaps go against the collective expression. We have these six matches [jusqu’en novembre] to get more specific answers about players.“
The three under-25 players took advantage of their fine silver medals won this summer at the Olympic Games. under the leadership of Thierry Henry to finally knock on the door of the big boys. “The three new ones know each other. They were together at the Olympics. They don’t have the same character, not the same position, detailed Didier Deschamps on Thursday. But they have this ability to be comfortable. They are very happy to be here today.. There will be steps to take, certainly difficulties. I am here to support them, to give them confidence.”
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Loïc Badé, a central defender playing for Sevilla FC, Manu Koné, a midfielder recently transferred from Mönchengladbach to AS Roma, and Michael Olise, a striker who arrived this summer at Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace, were three undisputed starters for the French Olympic team, each leader of his line. Already very experienced for their age, all were knocking on the door of the Blues but had to wait for the “rolling” established by Deschamps to make a place for himself in a new cycle launched before a major competition, here the 2026 World Cup.
“This summer was a very quick turning point in my career.Manu Koné was surprised on Tuesday during the traditional press conference to present the new arrivals. I’m in the French team, I was transferred to Roma, it’s up to me to prove that I can stay.“Like his former Olympic teammates, he does not really arrive at Clairefontaine. “With the Olympics, we were able to stay at the castle, so we have our marks”supported Loïc Badé at his side. Back in these same walls less than a month after their medal, all were able to enjoy the welcome of a “very welcoming group” – as described by Jules Koundé – with particular attention to Michael Olise, the gathering’s mascot who does not yet have a perfect command of the language of Molière.
Already very much in shape before the Euro, the fiery four-nationality player – French, English, Nigerian and Algerian – had to wait until this September gathering to finally make his place in the Blues, while the other teams were knocking on his door. “Michael [Olise] did some great things with Thierry Henry’s Olympic selection, he had already done some before. But now he’s changing category with his transfer to Bayern Munich”replied Didier Deschamps to justify this call-up to A, considered late by some. Each newcomer has made his mark thanks to one or more absences: those of Olivier Giroud, who ended his international career, for Michael Olise, those of Adrien Rabiot, without a club and Eduardo Camavinga, injured, for Manu Koné, and that of Wesley Fofana, in rehabilitation, for Loïc Badé.
Didier Deschamps also preferred to call up the young central defender of Sevilla FC rather than Benjamin Pavard, a regular in the blue ranks but who never came into play at the Euro. The same goes for Manu Koné, who upset a midfield hierarchy where Mattéo Guendouzi – later recalled after the withdrawal of Aurélien Tchouameni – and Jordan Veretout were better placed.
“In terms of presence, volume, ability to organize the game, to project himself too, he is one of the very good French midfielders.assured the coach. The players who come, it’s up to them to perform, because the competition is strong in all positions.“The Olympic runners-up have two games to prove that they can be more than just supporting players.
