Didier Deschamps experienced the roller coaster in September. It all started on the 6th of the month with a heavy 3-1 defeat against Italy at the Parc des Princes. Pointed out after the failed performance of the Blues, the French coach had even been questioned by some of the supporters, who believe that it is time to move on and that the game proposed is not really up to par. talents available to DD. A few days later in a Groupama Stadium far from being full, the 2018 world champions beat 2-0 a Belgian selection which is going through a big crisis. Coming out of this gathering, the former OM coach learned some good news on September 17. It was on this day that OM formalized the signing of Adrien Rabiot, free since his departure from Juve.
Enough to give a smile to the French technician, who was unable to call on him in his last list as he was without a club. Relieved, DD could not stay calm for long since on September 25, he was informed of Kylian Mbappé’s injury with Real Madrid. The Spanish press even spoke of a three-week absence for the captain of the Blues, injured in the biceps femoris of his left leg. His presence at the October gathering seemed strongly compromised. To end the month well, DD was surprised when he was informed of Antoine Griezmann’s desire to retire internationally. News that he learned at the end of last week and which was made official by the person concerned on September 30.
DD decided for Griezmann’s successor
In this context, the Blues coach therefore had to compose his list for the October gathering. A month during which its troops will face Israel in the League of Nations on October 10 in Hungary, before crossing swords with Belgium on October 14. For these two meetings, Deschamps called on a group of 23 players. In the cages, despite the good performances of Lille Lucas Chevalier, he maintains his confidence in the Maignan-Areola-Samba trio. In defense, Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), who declined the invitation from the staff last month to work on his physical problems during the break, is there this time. Lucas Digne, who made a good impression during the last training course, is preferred to Ferland Mendy, who remains an enigma in the selection.
In the midfield, Deschamps was spoiled for choice. He called on 6 players, compared to 5 last month. He therefore decided to select Aurélien Tchouameni, Youssouf Fofana, Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Koné, Warren Zaire-Emery and Mattéo Guendouzi. N’Golo Kanté, injured, is out. Adrien Rabiot, still considered too physically fit, stayed in Marseille to refine his preparation. Finally, Deschamps answered several questions in attack. An uncertain time, Kylian Mbappé, who played yesterday against Lille, is finally absent. He was left at the disposal of his club to recover physically. Concerning the successor to Antoine Griezmann, he decided in favor of Christopher Nkunku, who returns to the Chelsea side although he is not a potential starter. It is therefore with this group that DD will try to restart the machine and show a better face in the Nations League.
The complete list of the Blues
Guardians: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (RC Lens), Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
Defenders : Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Jonathan Clauss ( Nice)
Backgrounds : Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Mattéo Guendouzi (Lazio)
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)
