This is obviously the main information from the list of 23 Blues selected by Didier Deschamps for the matches against Israel and Italy. Kylian Mbappé, although physically fit, will miss a second gathering after his controversial absence in October. This time, there is no question of a real fake injury but of a decision. That of Didier Deschamps who thinks that “it’s better this way”. At a press conference, the coach said that the captain of the Blues “wanted to come” to Clairefontaine.
But “DD” had the last word and decided to leave the Real Madrid striker to rest. A sanction or a simple desire to give time to a player who seems to be in distress? Deschamps did not want to give further explanations. He only wanted to clarify that his choice related only to “this gathering”. Next episode in March 2025, during the next international break.
2. First for Lucas Chevalier
If LOSC shines so much in the Champions League this season, there is one Lille player who stands out more than the others. In the Mastiffs' goals, Lucas Chevalier has impressed since last season and has reached a new level on the European scene. And by dint of making people talk about him, Didier Deschamps had no other choice than to call him up for these two matches in November. After pushing back the deadline to October, the coach this time relegated Alphonse Areola one place in the hierarchy to make room for the young Chevalier (23 years old).
Summoned and expected to start at the Paris Olympic Games, Chevalier was selected by his club to best prepare for the Champions League qualifications. Here he is four months later with the big boys. At 23 years and 1 day, he is the youngest goalkeeper to be called up to the French team since… Alphonse Areola in 2015 (22 years and 8 months).
3. Rabiot and Kanté recalled
They were both absent in October. The first (Rabiot) had just signed for OM and was short of form to qualify for the Blues when the other had to deal with a physical problem which made him miss the last match of his club Al Ittihad before the gathering.
Adrien Rabiot and N'Golo Kanté especially passed Youssouf Fofana, who was very successful with AC Milan, in the mind of the coach. It will also be interesting to follow the performances of Manu Koné, attractive in October, facing the return of two executives from the French midfield. In the absence of the usual holder, Aurélien Tchouaméni (injured with Real Madrid), two places will be up for grabs in November. Bonus for experience with Rabiot (48 selections) and Kanté (63 selections) or for novelty with Koné and Zaire-Emery?
4. Trends that are confirmed
If Didier Deschamps has to deal with Griezmann's retirement and the Mbappé case in attack, injuries and return to midfield, there is one sector that is not moving: defense. “DD” called up the same 8 players as in October with a hierarchy that seems established in the axis: Saliba-Konaté-Upamecano-Fofana. Choices which confirm the disappearance of Benjamin Pavard, once again excluded from the list despite his performances with Inter Milan.
