This Thursday falls the new selection of Didier Deschamps, to face Germany and Chile on March 23 and 26. With a surprise in perspective.
Didier Deschamps is preparing to decide. With a view to upcoming friendly matches against Germany – in Lyon on Saturday March 23 – and Chile – in Marseille on Tuesday March 26 – the Blues coach is calling up the France team this Thursday March 14. Three months before Euro 2024 and barely two months before the final announcement of the lucky ones elected for the continental high mass.
Missing from this crucial list are the injured Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman and Boubacar Kamara. Absences to which will ultimately not be added those of Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram, affected respectively in the ankle and adductors in recent weeks and indeed called upon by Atlético and Inter this Wednesday evening in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League.
The Barcola temptation
To fill the gaps in his selection, in the midfield in particular, Didier Deschamps should call once again the young Warren Zaire-Emery, but also an element who knows the group well such as Mattéo Guendouzi or Jordan Veretout. As for the defense, no surprises a priori: Jonathan Clauss should pair up on the right with Jules Koundé; the Hernandez brothers the one on the left; the axis should be devolved to Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté. Only Axel Disasi can complete the rearguard in the event of a possible withdrawal from the last named.
No suspense either for the goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan and Brice Samba not (yet) suffering from the competition. An uncertainty is noted in attack, where Bradley Barcola nevertheless holds the rope to replace Kingsley Coman. This at the expense of Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby. For the rest: nothing but classic. Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram will be accompanied by Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé and Randal Kolo Muani.
Didier Deschamps’ probable list:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba.
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Hernandez, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté (or Axel Disasi), Jules Koundé, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfield: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jordan Veretout (or Mattéo Guendouzi), Warren Zaire-Emery.
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola (or Moussa Diaby).
