Blues coach Didier Deschamps will announce this Thursday his list for the French team’s two matches against Israel (in Hungary) and Belgium. The international retirement of Antoine Griezmann leaves a place in attack.
You miss only one being and everything is not so depopulated after all. On the eve of the announcement of Didier Deschamps’ list for the next two Nations League matches, which will see the French team travel to Hungary to face Israel (October 10 at 8:45 p.m.) then to Belgium to challenge the Red Devils (October 14 at 8:45 p.m.), the surprise announcement of Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement does not seem to have unduly disrupted the coach’s plans.
The captain of the Blues should thus be numerically replaced by Christopher Nkunku, much appreciated by Didier Deschamps and back in form with Chelsea, unless Kingsley Coman cheats on him.
No major change
For the rest, it is a list relatively close to that of the last gathering in September that the coach should announce, if we put aside the returns of certain executives who should deprive young applicants of a new chance in blue.
In defense, Wesley Fofana should regain his place to the detriment of Loïc Badé, called to replace him before withdrawing himself before the match against Italy. The only other question concerns the selection of Jonathan Clauss, competing with the young Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto as well as the Juve defender Pierre Kalulu, author of a remarkable start to the season.
In the middle, Madrilenians Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni will return, consequently leaving their September replacement Mattéo Guendouzi behind. On the other hand, Didier Deschamps reflects on the neo-Marseillais Adrien Rabiot, still considered a little short after a long period of inactivity.
Can he be called this Thursday? The tendency was rather for him to return only in November. The coach could prefer Roma midfielder Manu Koné, author of two promising first performances in the blue jersey against Italy and especially Belgium. However, places will be expensive with N’Golo Kanté, Youssouf Fofana and Warren Zaire Emery.
Olise a plu
In attack, Didier Deschamps should call on the same men for these two matches, with one question (and not the least important): will Kylian Mbappé be fit? Retained in the Madrid group for the trip to Lille in the Champions League this Wednesday, his participation or not in the match should give valuable decision elements to the coach.
On the other hand, the case of Michael Olise, whose first steps in blue were deemed successful, should not pose a problem: in all likelihood, he will be on the trip.
