Restricted to a substitute role at Manchester City since his return from injury, Rayan Cherki should however start on Thursday with the France team. Absent from the first two meetings this fall due to his thigh injury, the former Lyonnais should take advantage of the numerous absences in attack to be aligned in a playmaker role.
If Michael Ollise, the usual starter behind Kylian Mbappé, is present at Clairefontaine, the Bayern Munich player should this time play on the right flank of the attack, the position he usually occupies with the Bavarian giant. Consequence of the absences of Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kingsley Coman or Randal Kolo Muani, all accustomed to playing this role of right attacker.
Théo Hernandez and Lucas Digne in balance
While Kylian MbappĂ© will obviously be aligned at the forefront of the French attack, Bradley Barcola should start on the left side. In midfield, in the absence of Adrien Rabiot and AurĂ©lien Tchouameni, N’Golo KantĂ©, recalled by Didier Deschamps after a year of absence, should also start the match and be associated with Manu KonĂ©.
Finally in defense, doubt still exists at the left-back position where Théo Hernandez and Lucas Digne are in the balance. For the rest, Jules Koundé is expected to occupy the right flank while William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano should pair up in the central hinge.
The probable line-up of the Blues against Ukraine
Maignan – Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne or T. Hernandez – Kanté, Koné – Olise, Cherki, Barcola – Mbappé (cap.).
