Blues coach Didier Deschamps will announce his last list for 2024 this Thursday. He should include Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for the first time. The possible return of Kylian Mbappé remains to be confirmed.
On the eve of the publication of the last list of the Blues for the calendar year 2024 with a view to the Nations League matches against Israel and in Italy, Didier Deschamps' choices are starting to become clearer. And this final gathering could turn into a great first for certain ambitious hopes.
But above all, the big question lies around the presence, or not, in the list of Kylian Mbappé. His absence in October gave rise to a perilous communication exercise and even turned into a real media saga with the revelation of his getaway to Stockholm.
Will he be on Didier Deschamps' list or will the latter choose to protect him from media attention by leaving him once again in Madrid? At the time when RMC Sport publishes these lines, all scenarios are possible. In the entourage of the Blues, we did not confirm with certainty this Wednesday the presence in the group of the French captain. According to our information, the Madrid striker should speak with his coach before the decision is made.
Knight, great first
The big news on this list should undoubtedly be Lucas Chevalier. Author of a new dazzling performance against Juventus in the Champions League, the young Lille goalkeeper should, in alphabetical order, have the pleasure of hearing his name come first from the mouth of Didier Deschamps this Thursday. Unless there is a thunderbolt, he will be called in place of Alphonse Areola, who is suffering from discomfort.
In defense, the coach will record the return of one of his captains, Dayot Upamecano, which should deprive Loïc Badé of a new call-up. Lucas Digne, who made a good impression at the last rally, should once again be preferred to Ferland Mendy. Summoned but remained on the bench in October, Wesley Fofana should also be there. He remains a safe bet at Chelsea. For the rest, Didier Deschamps should start with something very classic.
Towards a return of Rabiot
In the middle, the injury to vice-captain Aurélien Tchouaméni, sidelined for the next six weeks, should accelerate a big comeback: that of neo-Marseillais Adrien Rabiot. Present during the last two gatherings, Manu Koné and Mattéo Guendouzi scored points and are expected to be on the list.
If places in the French midfield are expensive, two names are however circulating: that of the young Monegasque Maghnes Akliouche, whose passing profile caught the attention of the staff, and especially that of Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot, who Didier Deschamps appreciates . But if the coach were to summon the latter this Thursday, he would have to find a name to cross off his list, which is far from obvious.
Finally, on the attack side, beyond the Mbappé case, no surprises in sight. Didier Deschamps appreciated the performances of Christopher Nkunku, scorer for his return to blue against Israel. He should also not do without Randal Kolo Muani, who is stuck on the PSG bench despite good performances in the French jersey. The Parisian striker retains the confidence of the Blues coach, who sees him as his current top scorer.
The French team cell
