Before the March rally of the France team, the coach unveiled his group this Thursday, which includes the new Christopher Nkunku and Jonathan Clauss.
Didier Deschamps launched his year 2022 with the France team this Thursday in Paris. And for the occasion, “DD” has decided to trust Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) and Jonathan Clauss (RC Lens), “two players who perform well with their clubs and who could have been called up before». Expected for several months, the two men will discover the France team during the two friendly matches scheduled for the end of March. The attacking midfielder from Leipzig and the right defender from Lens are the two main surprises on the list of Didier Deschamps, who has called up 23 players for the meetings against Côte d’Ivoire (March 26, in Marseille) and Africa du Sud (March 29, in Lille), which replaces the friendly tournament initially planned in Qatar.
For these two meetings, which will precede the return of the League of Nations, where the Blues will challenge their title acquired last October, the tricolor coach also trusts a framework which is taking shape more clearly eight months from the start. sending the 2022 World Cup to Qatar (November 21-December 18). Thus, strikers Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann are naturally present, as are midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté. In defense, Raphaël Varane will frame a defense where Kurt Zouma, in turmoil since a video where he rapes his cat, has been dismissed.
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Nkunku and Clauss (finally) called
Expected for several months in the blue jersey, Nkunku and Clauss are therefore the two main surprises on the list. As obvious in view of the current performances of the two men, in particular the attacking midfielder of Leipzig, where he has compiled 26 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season. To the right of the defense, the 24th Lensois to be called up in Blue numerically replaces Léo Dubois, in the hard in Lyon. His offensive habits on the right lane of RC Lens should allow Deschamps to work a little more on his 3-5-2 set up during the League of Nations.
SEE ALSO – Christopher Nkunku’s best goals with RB Leipzig
Executives at the rendezvous, Giroud absent
The rest of the list gives pride of place to regulars on DD lists. In attack, Moussa Diaby, tested since the start of the school year, is well confirmed, as is Wissam Ben Yedder, still a scorer with AS Monaco. On the other hand, no Nabil Fékir, sparkling with Bétis Sevilla despite an exclusion last weekend. Nor from Olivier Giroud despite top performances with Milan. But the door is not closed definitively, assures Deschamps:I know very well what Olivier was able to do with us, he obviously remains selectable and available to the France team“.
In the middle, Adrien Rabiot is there alongside the Kanté and Pogba executives, like Matteo Guendouzi and Aurélien Tchouaméni. In defense, the Hernandez brothers are well called, as well as Raphaël Varane, the boss of the defense in front of captain Hugo Lloris.
Guardians : Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
Defenders : Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Jules Koundé (Sevilla)
Midfielders : Paul Pogba (Manchester United), N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Aurélien Tchouaméni (AS Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi (OM), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Attackers : Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Wissam Ben Yedder (AS Monaco), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
SEE ALSO – Football: Nkunku and Clauss selected in the French team, eight months before the World Cup