Didier Deschamps probably had a close eye on the Olympic Games and the progress of the French team. The coach of the Blues called up one of the members of the Paris 2024 finalists to a squad then coached by Thierry Henry. Forced to find a replacement for Wesley Fofana, the injured Chelsea defender, Deschamps opted for Loïc Badé, the Sevilla FC player.
This is the first call-up to the senior team for the former stopper for Le Havre, RC Lens and Stade Rennais in particular. At 24, Loïc Badé has been a starter for the Andalusian club in the last three La Liga matches, which ended in two defeats and a draw for his team.
Badé won’t be the only French debutant in this Nations League window, where Les Bleus will face Italy on September 6 and Belgium three days later. Borussia Mönchengladbach player Manu Koné and Bayern Munich phenomenon Michael Olise will also be in the game.
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Alphonse Areola
The defenders: Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté, Théo Hernandez, Ferland Mendy, Jonathan Clauss, Loïc Badé.
Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana, Warren Zaire-Emery, Manu Koné, N’Golo Kanté.
The attackers: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram, Antoine Griezmann, Randal Kolo Muani, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise.
