There may be no surprises in the group of the French team for the quarterfinals of the League of Nations against Croatia in three months (first leg on March 20 in Split, round return on Sunday 23 -Denis). Kylian Mbappé, who is still the captain of Didier Deschamps, should make a shattering return to the Blues when he has been in great shape with Real Madrid for a few weeks. In defense, places are expensive. To compose the central hinge for example, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are essential.
After Benjamin Pavard, dismissed after the Euro and then recalled last November, another 2018 world champion could also reappear: Lucas Hernandez. The 28-year-old defender failed the European championship due to a serious left knee injury suffered on May 1, 2024 against Borussia Dortmund, in the semi-final go to the Champions League. He resumed with PSG in early December and has just chained four tenure in two weeks (against Saint-Etienne, Espaly, Lens and Reims). “The most important thing is to chain little by little, to find my best level”reacted the player on Free Foot on Saturday evening.
A boon for Deschamps?
Lucas Hernandez is an extremely reliable defender when he is in full possession of his means, but is probably not an indisputable holder in the eyes of Luis Enrique for the rest of the season. Also left -handed, William Pacho has established himself as an essential piece of red and blue this season after his recruitment at 40 million euros. The Spanish coach however operates a turnover Constant and Lucas Hernandez will clearly have the opportunity to play in a central hinge as on the left in the coming months. What to convince “the Dèche to reincorporate it into the French team?”
Deschamps will decide in a few weeks, but he knows the versatility of Lucas Hernandez and always tries to have a left -handed central in his team. The former Atlético and Bayern player could therefore compete with Lucas worthy to play the lining of little brother Théo, as well as eject Pavard of the Tricolor group in order to appear there as the fourth central defender. As a reminder, in early June, the Blues will play either the Final Four of the League of Nations (in the event of qualification) or their first two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (against Gibraltar and the Czechief).
