DECRYPTION – Several young shoots are knocking on the door of the French team. Maybe next year.
2024 is already over. In any case for the France team, which ended its year with a 3-1 victory over Italy on Sunday in Milan. After Euro 2024 and before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Didier Deschamps has made a certain turnover among the Blues in recent months. Chosen… or forced changes, with the international retirement of Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann or the various and varied concerns of Kylian Mbappé. A “oxygenation”the national coach would say. And this even if “this harms collective expression”. Back up to jump better, in short.
The tricolor tank, however, still offers possibilities to “DD”. Without talking about boys like Désiré Doué, who has not (yet?) made his mark in Paris, or Enzo Le Fée, who is having all the difficulty in the world to establish himself at Roma, several young players could make their debut among the big Blues in 2025. Overview of those who are knocking at the door.
Akliouche, the obvious
“He has taken a big step forward in his development since last year. He's a fantastic player.”. Adi Hütter doesn't need much pushing to sing the praises of Magnes Akliouche. And for good reason, the young (22 year old) Monegasque leader is doing everything to attract praise. For a French team lacking creative players, the kind of profile that French football has difficulty producing, the native of Tremblay-en-France should quickly represent a concrete option. “He can be one of the most important in our squad. We simply have to accept that young players are not always at the highest level in certain matches. But it is still very important to us. And against Barça, he was fantastic.explained the Austrian coach of ASM, who does not hesitate to rely on him. His progress has not escaped Didier Deschamps.
Asked if Akliouche is far from the Blues, the coach responded as follows: “Yes and no, it’s linked to competition. He is in Hope. We must maintain what he is doing over time”. The question also related to the Monegasque and another of the players on our list. Still, Magnes Akliouche has it all. A matter of time before we see him in the French team. Note that the person concerned is being courted by Algeria. A priori, he gives his preference to France. Perhaps we shouldn't hang around too much… Olympic vice-champion with Thierry Henry's Bleuets last summer, he played 67 matches with ASM (11 goals, 9 assists).
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Millot, the big odds
The second player Deschamps was talking about “maintain what it does over time”it's Enzo Millot. Trained at AS Monaco, who let him leave for a pittance in 2021, this 22-year-old attacking midfielder is flourishing in Stuttgart. He will soon meet his “heart club”PSG, in C1 (January 29). Five goals and three assists with VfB in 2024-25 (16 matches). “This boy has extraordinary talents,” his coach, Sebastian Hoeneß, recently said. He is exceptionally good. He doesn't just play football well. He runs. He is aggressive in duels. He has a lot to offer”. And the Blues too? “It’s flattering to see (Deschamps) talking about me because it shows that he watches the matches and that he follows me. We have to continue to perform”recently explained the captain of the Espoirs, via The Team . And to add: “The French team? It’s a dream so it’s normal to think about it”.
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“New world”, the idol Lloris, father police commander… the words of Lucas Chevalier, new addition to the Blues
Knight ready to rise in rank
Let's make a brief summary of the Lucas Chevalier case. At 23, the Lille goalkeeper is already one of the best in Ligue 1 in his position. He impresses a little more each week with the Mastiffs. Above all, he has already taken his first steps at the Château. A first invitation for the November gathering, but no selection yet. This is why he is part of our list: 2025 could be the year of his “real” international debut, his first cape. Given his current performances, the question is how long Brice Samba can protect his status as number 2 behind the untouchable Mike Maignan, still decisive on Sunday evening in Milan… For the rest, Chevalier is perhaps gone for a good time in selection…
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And also…
Quickly injured after arriving at Manchester United, Lenny Yoro will quickly pose itself as a contender for the France group. The young (19 years old) central defender impressed with his maturity under the colors of Losc. Certainly, the competition will be tough at Old Traford, with clients like Lisandro Martínez and Mathijs de Ligt, the native of Saint-Maurice will have to fight hard. If he manages to seduce his new coach, Ruben Amorim, he could quickly catch the eye of Didier Deschamps… Boys like Malo want (Chelsea) etc Sasha Boey (Bayern) are necessarily in the back of the coach's mind, not very rich at right-back behind Jules Koundé. Rabbit Stone (Juventus) can also play in this position.
We talked about Désiré Doué (PSG), still in the waiting room in Paris. Mathys Tel (Bayern) still has several levels to overcome before claiming the Blues. He has (very) little playing time under Vincent Kompany. Hugo Equipment (Frankfurt) found some when leaving Paris for Germany. However, he is still far from the A. Maybe tomorrow… or the day after tomorrow? Young talents are not legion in attack… What about Rayan Cherki (Lyon), talented but incapable of establishing itself over time in the club? He has had a good start to the season, serious, diligent, but the progress is still high. At 31 years old, Pierre Lees-Melou (Brest) is not a young man. Some people dream of seeing him in Blue. The Brest hub presents an interesting profile for an environment lacking creativity. But that’s a huge odds…
