This is the great return of the France team. As the transfer window enters its last moments, Didier Deschamps is preparing to give his list (this Thursday at 2 p.m.) for the two back-to-school matches: against Ireland on September 7 at the Parc des Princes (8:45 p.m.) as part of of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, and in a friendly in Dortmund against Germany on September 12 (8:45 p.m.). The coach should call 23 elements according to the state of form and availability of each. This is what that list might look like.
In goal, there shouldn’t be too many surprises. Back in shape with his club, Mike Maignan expects to start with Alphonse Areola and Brice Samba in the role of understudy, the latter having even been promoted to captain of RC Lens. It is probably still a little early to call on Lucas Chevalier, now a starter with the Espoirs. In defense, however, there will be changes compared to the last meeting last June. And for good reason, there are injuries.
Lucas Hernandez called again?
We obviously think of Wesley Fofana, again sidelined for a long period with Chelsea and his teammate Benoît Badiashile, not yet back. Axel Disasi should logically benefit from it, as should the two holders since the retirement of Raphaël Varane, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté. Injured at the end of last season, William Saliba is expected to return, as is Lucas Hernandez, whose debut with PSG is very promising, he who is coming out of 6 months of injury after his cruciate ligament rupture of the knee at world Cup.
It remains to be seen whether the coach will call on the new Parisian in a role of left side or central defender… On the sides of the defense precisely, Théo Hernandez will be summoned. Will he have his brother as a stand-in? Ferland Mendy is already forfeited, giving way to a Lucas Digne or an Adrien Truffert. Unless Eduardo Camavinga is invited as a left-back as was the case at the World Cup and in March. On the right, there should be no surprises. Jules Koundé and Benjamin Pavard, who has just left Bayern for Inter, are expected.
What about Pogba and Kante?
In the midfield, there would be no big change. All the players called up last June are available. Only Adrien Rabiot, called up then forfeited, had given way to Boubacar Kamara, themselves preferred to Khéphren Thuram, summoned for the first time last March. No glitch has yet to be reported, so we should have Rabiot, Camavinga, if he is called up in midfield, Youssouf Fofana, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antoine Griezmann. Warren Zaire-Emery would probably be satisfied with Thierry Henry’s Espoirs. It remains to be seen what Deschamps will do with the Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté cases.
The first is barely back on the pitch after almost a year without playing. It will probably be a bit early. And the return to competition of the former Chelsea player is going very well. It is now up to the coach to estimate the value of the Saudi championship. Finally in front, the surprises should not be legion. Coman, Giroud, Mbappé, Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembélé are all fit. Of those summoned in June, only Nkunku is missing, injured. No doubt a boon for Moussa Diaby, already twice scorers with his Aston Villa, his new club.
