Kylian Mbappé is not there, but there is still talk of him. The absence of the captain of the Blues remains the controversy of this October gathering. Victim of a muscle injury against Alavés (3-2) on September 24, which was initially supposed to require around three weeks of recovery, the Real Madrid striker nevertheless returned to competition the following week against Lille (1- 0), before starting last Sunday against Villarreal (2-0). His package did not go through, and it was discussed again on Wednesday at a press conference, on the eve of the Blues’ match against Israel in Budapest.
Didier Deschamps refuted the idea that Mbappé’s non-selection was a request from Real Madrid, currently second in La Liga behind Barça, and author of a mixed start to the Champions League campaign with a victory and a defeat in two matches. “This is his situation at the time I make the decision, with the elements I haveassured the coach. He played the weekend’s match not being 100%. Is it good for the player and the French team? I don’t think so. There was no request, the decision was made by me.”
“The employers of the players are the clubs”
However, Deschamps did not fail to point out that clubs and selections sometimes had different interests. “The employers of the players are the clubshe stressed. It is not the federations that pay the players. The fact that clubs are attentive to their calendars… It’s not just Real Madrid or Kylian. This is not a good thing for the selections. I make do with the elements I have.”
Deschamps “thanks” Griezmann and “can only respect” his choice
“At the time of listing, the situation may change too, continued the French coach. The most important thing is to communicate with the players. It’s already happened that I don’t take players and they can play, or the opposite. I am not fixed with Real Madrid, quite the contrary. There is even greater attention from clubs with players who play for the national team. It’s a power they have and it’s no less strong today.”
The situation nonetheless leaves the impression of unease between Mbappé and the France team, in the wake of a September gathering where the former PSG player had already been criticized. “Everyone is free to have their own feelingscommented Deschamps. Even when he is not there, Kylian attracts attention. This concerns all national teams. Is Kylian attached to the France team? Yes. Afterwards, you are free to have your own interpretations which can lead to debates and controversies. It’s like with the captaincy and Griezmann, so much has been said… And it’s very far from reality.”
