Didier Deschamps has announced his 23 man squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Belarus and Finland. After some surprise selections in his friendly squad against Uruguay there were many names being thrown around by the French press before Deschamps’ announcement.

Only a few surprises, and a couple of well deserved call ups. Here is the squad:

Goalkeepers

Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defenders

Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Christophe Jallet (PSG), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mamadou Sakho (PSG), Mapou Yanga-M’Biwa (Montpellier), Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Midfielders

Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Maxim Gonalons (Lyon), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Forwards

Jeremy Menez (PSG), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Great to see Rio Mavuba and Etienne Capoue keep their place in the squad. Maybe a small surprise that Diaby is back in the squad already, without much playing time for Arsenal. There was a little suprise not to see Yann M’Vila’s name not reappear on the squad list but Deschamps said M’Vila must “adjust his personal situation” before a recall but will continue watching the player.

The game against Finland is on Friday the 7th of September and then the team return to the Stade de France to face Belarus on Tuesday the 11th of September.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS