the Olise attraction, the Rabiot interrogation… The latest indiscretions from Deschamps’ list

It’s back to school for the French football team. Les Bleus are back on the pitch for two Nations League Group B matches against Italy (Friday 6 September, 8:45pm, Parc des Princes in Paris) and Belgium (Monday 9, 8:45pm, Groupama Stadium in Lyon). Didier Deschamps will announce the list of players this Thursday.

No major revolution expected compared to the group that lost in the semi-final of Euro 2024 against Spain (1-2). Rather, refreshments. Aware of the disparate state of form of his players in Germany and faced with a Dantesque calendar (Club World Cup next summer), the coach intends to rotate between the two matches.

Olise, a big first

Among the new players to expect, Michael Olise, 22 years old and revelation of the last Olympic Games. The left-hander with four nationalities – French, British, Nigerian, Algerian – showed the full extent of his talent this summer in Thierry Henry’s team. Consulted by Didier Deschamps, the latter sang the praises of his protégé, great architect of the Bleuets’ silver medal with 2 goals and 4 assists.

Also readQuadruple nationality, sure of his football, icy character… Who is Michael Olise, the new offensive weapon of the Blues during the Olympic tournament?

Barring any last-minute unforeseen circumstances, Michael Olise will receive his first call-up to the senior squad. “DD” is attracted by the creative profile of Bayern Munich’s new attacking midfielder, who paid nearly €60 million to snatch him from Crystal Palace at the beginning of July. Apart from Antoine Griezmann, few players in the France squad are capable of carrying the ball with such ease, creating gaps, scoring and having others score.

SEE ALSO – Michael Olise’s superb goal with the Bleuets before the Olympics against Japan last July (1-1)

Coman uncertain, Nkunku appreciated

Behind the attraction Michael Olise, there could be room in attack for new faces. The international retirement of Olivier Giroud (37 years old, 137 caps) opens doors. It remains to be seen whether the coach will favor a winger or a number 9 profile. Captain Kylian Mbappé (25 years old, 84 caps), who is looking to find his feet at Real Madrid, will of course be present, as will Marcus Thuram (27 years old, 24 caps) and the three PSG attackers, Randal Kolo Muani (25 years old, 22 caps), Ousmane Dembélé (27 years old, 49 caps) and Bradley Barcola (21 years old, 5 caps). The latter will certainly hope to get more playing time given his sparkling start to the season with the capital club.

Also readTransfer window: French international Kingsley Coman set to join Saudi Arabia

The presence of Kingsley Coman (28 years old, 57 caps) is more uncertain. The Bayern Munich winger is coming off a frustrating Euro and is said to be close to Al-Hilal, in Saudi Arabia. But the N’Golo Kanté example showed that exile in the desert does not automatically rule out, and Didier Deschamps is not overwhelmed with solutions. Can he recall Christopher Nkunku (26 years old, 10 caps), back on the pitch with Chelsea after numerous physical problems? The boss of the Blues has always appreciated the former Parisian and sees him as a real solution behind Griezmann. The Espoirs Elye Wahi (21 years old, Olympique de Marseille), Arnaud Kalimuendo (22 years old, Stade Rennais) and Matthys Tel (19 years old, Bayern Munich) still seem tender to claim the A.

Rabiot still without a club and lacking rhythm

In midfield, the coach will have to do without Eduardo Camavinga (21 years old, 21 caps), who is suffering from a sprained internal collateral ligament in his left knee after a collision in training with Real Madrid. His teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni (24 years old, 36 caps) has his place guaranteed, as do Antoine Griezmann (33 years old, 135 caps), Warren Zaïre-Emery (18 years old, 3 caps) and Youssouf Fofana (25 years old, 21 caps), a new AC Milan player.

Also readTransfer market diary: Rabiot dreams of England, Al-Ittihad does not want to sell Kanté

N’Golo Kanté (33 years old, 61 caps) could be called up again, riding on his generally successful Euro and a possible return to Europe before the end of the transfer window. On the other hand, Adrien Rabiot (29 years old, 48 caps) could pay the price for his insufficient preparation. The former Turin player is still without a club and has been training alone for several weeks. The profiles of Khephren Thuram (23 years old, 1 cap), new Juventus player, and Manu Koné (23 years old, Borussia Mönchengladbach), convincing this summer at the Olympics, please the Blues’ staff.

In central defense, Euro starters William Saliba (23 years old, 21 caps) and Dayot Upamecano (25 years old, 26 caps) don’t have too many worries. Defense had been the Blues’ strong point in Germany. Ibrahima Konaté, a starter at Liverpool, can also be confident (25 years old, 16 caps). There is more debate regarding the fourth place in the hinge.

Boey temptation on the right

Will it go to Benjamin Pavard? A starter at Inter Milan, with whom he finished very strongly last season, the former Lille player did not play a single minute at the Euro. Behind him, there are people knocking on the door, notably Wesley Fofana (23 years old, 1 cap), a starter at Chelsea, or the two strong men of Thierry Henry at the Olympics, Loïc Badé (24 years old) and Castello Lukeba (21 years old, 1 cap). Back from injury but still a substitute at Chelsea, Axel Disasi (26 years old, 5 caps) starts from further back, as does Jean-Clair Todibo (24 years old, 2 caps), still a substitute at West Ham.

On the right, the leader is Jules Koundé (25 years old, 34 caps), author of an excellent Euro. Alongside the Barcelona player, the staff is studying the profile of Sacha Boey. At 23, the Franco-Cameroonian represents the future and has just signed for Bayern Munich, after three solid years at Galatasaray. By moving from Marseille to Nice this summer, Jonathan Clauss (31 years old, 13 caps) has regressed somewhat, even if he has had a good start to the season. Didier Deschamps could also try the gamble of Malo Gusto (21 years old, 1 cap), a starter with Chelsea. The former Lyon player has not been called up since October 2023.

On the left, “DD” should leave with Théo Hernandez (26 years old, 33 caps) and Ferland Mendy (29 years old, 10 caps) while waiting for the situation of Rennes player Adrien Truffert (22 years old, 1 cap), announced as leaving for the Premier League, to stabilise.

Finally comes the goalkeeper position. Who will accompany the unshakeable Mike Maignan (29 years old, 22 caps)? Continuity with Brice Samba (30 years old, 3 caps) and Alphonse Areola (31 years old, 5 caps)? Or fresh blood with Lucas Chevalier, who at 22 years old is gaining ground in the Losc goals, and/or Guillaume Restes, a regular at the Games and already indispensable to Toulouse at only 19 years old?