Last October, he explained that the Napoli striker needed time. The truth seems more nuanced since the top scorer in the history of the selection (85 goals) expressed mental wear and tear with the selection. While Kevin De Bruyne will still be absent, the absence of Lukaku, who spoke of the mentality of the new Devils, not demanding enough in his eyes, will necessarily be questioned and Tedesco’s answers analyzed, to try to find out how much is true. and falsehood, or ignorance.
Sardella to compensate for the difficulties on the right?
In a complicated environment, with a disreputable recent record – two wins in eight matches – Tedesco, in its business of renewal and testing in anticipation of qualifications for the 2026 World Cup, should stick to a more or less less similar to that of October, with the returns of Sels (and Kaminski) and Onana.
Meunier, injured with Lille, should still be absent, while Castagne, absent at Fulham after Belgium – France, due to injury, has only played 17 minutes since the last meeting. Will it be on the list? Or will an agreement be reached with Fulham for partial use? Killian Sardella is in the waiting room. The Anderlecht right-back has been shortlisted and is keen to join the Red Devils, a prospect not so obvious a few years ago.
The Return of Lavia
The obvious, on the other hand, should be the summons of Romeo Lavia. He has just completed three starts with Chelsea, where he established himself, and the logic would be for him to return to the fold of the Devils, whom he has not frequented since Tedesco took office, in 2023, in due to repeated injuries.
The prospect of the Euro 2025 Espoirs play-off against the Czech Republic (November 15-19) should not change anything for Lavia. But it could be a stopover for Vermeeren or Steuckers. Malick Fofana should still be present while Cyril Ngonge played a little more with Naples, which would imply, according to Tedesco’s principles, that he would still be taken back.
In central defense, Matte Smets was one of the new call-ups. There is no reason for this to change, unless Tedesco gets old by recalling Brandon Mechele.
