Despite the manifest talent at France manager Didier Deschamps‘ disposal, and having reached the final in each of the last two World Cups — as well as the 2016 European Championships, the veteran manager’s side has never been far away from controversy over his methods (too pragmatic), his selection (too reliant on perceived favorites or veterans) or even a combination of the two. However, with the retirements of Hugo Lloris, Raphaël Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud in the recent past, he has sought to develop a new-look side, with a focus on names less familiar.
A deserved first call-up
While the absence of Kylian Mbappé has caused no shortage of consternation, the real headline may be the manager’s inclusion of two Ligue 1 McDonald’s goalkeepers in the squad. Brice Samba of Racing Club de Lens has long been a part of the national team setup, but his derby rival, LOSC Lille's Lucas Chevalierwas yet to make his first appearance for France. Recently turned 23, the Calais-born player is a pure product of The Mastiffs‘ academy, having signed with the club at the age of 13.
A regular in the side since the departure of Mike Maignan following the team’s title win, he has particularly impressed in the Champions League this season, keeping a clean sheet against Real Madrid and helping his team to strong results against Juventus and Atlético Madrid. Were it not for a last-gasp equalizer by Nice’s Tom Louchet at the weekend, Lille would be third in the league. As it is, they sit fourth, despite a raft of injury problems that would surely have derailed more talented sides, with young midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi (himself having received his first call-up for the U-21s), Jonathan David and Chevalier forming an imposing spine for Bruno Génésio's side.
An exciting future
Elsewhere in the squad, Ligue 1 is strongly represented, even if the injured Ousmane Dembélé hasn’t been selected. Veterans Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Clauss are back, as is Randal Cole Muanibut it’s the latter’s two Paris Saint-Germain teammates who might have the biggest chance to shine in this international window. Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery have both been selected by the manager several times before, with Barcola being a surprise inclusion to this summer’s European Championships squad, but they haven’t yet carved out definitive places for themselves in Deschamps’ eleven.
With Mbappé and Dembélé absent, Barcola, the leading scorer in Ligue 1 McDonald’s with ten goals, is all but certain to start for Les Bleus, and if he can help France to the group with a goal or two, he may cement himself as a key name on the teamsheet, no matter the fitness of his teammates. As for Zaïre-Emery, the teenage midfielder could also improve his place in the team’s pecking order, with Rabiot still working his way back to full fitness and regulars Aurélien Tchouameni and Youssouf Fofana both absent.
Heralded as part of the future of the French game, this Ligue 1 trio may also be part of its present, and exciting prospect for the coming matches and indeed the rest of the season domestically.
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