We are inexorably approaching the end of the Deschamps era at the head of the Blues. The French coach will unveil his penultimate list this Thursday for the friendly matches planned against Brazil and Colombia in March. It should, more or less, resemble that of November, with a few exceptions. Considering everyone’s fitness levels, some uncertainties remain, from goalkeepers to attackers. No longer used since the end of January by Luis Enrique at PSG, Lucas Chevalier will probably be one of the big losers.
Deschamps should not retain him for obvious reasons, and the former Lille goalkeeper sees his place more than ever threatened for the World Cup. We will not advance as far in the case of Lucas Digne (who has already missed the last two World Cups), but the Aston Villa defender has seen his role waver at the club in recent weeks. To the point of seeing Deschamps downgrade him in favor of a Udol? Probably not. The challenge will above all be to know if the gap remains the same between Digne, the usual starter, and Theo Hernandez, the understudy, in the mind of the coach.
The debate remains open for the 4th central defender
Jules Koundé is in trouble on the Barcelona side, but the former Sevillian doesn’t really have to worry given his experience in the Blues. It is especially for his starting position that he could be titillated in the medium term, while Malo Gusto is pushing to settle in. On the other hand, Koundé’s former competitor on the right, Benjamin Pavardhe has reason to worry. 4th (when there were injuries) or even 5th central defender during the last rallies, the Marseillais is paying for his current poor form. Having little playing time at PSG, Lucas Hernandez keeps a little more credit, he who established himself as 4th central defender, and as Upamecano’s understudy in the left axis (he is the only left-handed central defender). But his short playing time could call his place into question. Wesley Fofana pushes behind, for example.
In the midfield, Khephren Thuram is also not in a favorable position. If the Turin player is having a good club season, hence his call-ups in September and then October (he was called up in November following Camavinga’s withdrawal), he now seems to be starting as the 6th option or 7th in Deschamps’ thoughts. In front of him? Manu Koné, Aurélien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot and obviously N’Golo Kanté if we refer to the last list. Warren Zaire-Emery has also regained credit, while a profile like Désiré Doué or Rayan Cherki could be integrated into the list of midfielders depending on Deschamps’ list structure.
Make your list of 26 for the World Cup
There will be many disappointments in attack
Not called since June, Matteo Guendouzi leaves today too late, like its competitors Youssouf Fofana And Boubacar Kamara. The future does not look brighter for Corentin Tolisso despite XXL performances with OL. In front, Randal Kolo Muani has always held his place in the selection, and a call-up would be mainly due to this fact, more than to his performances with Tottenham. The former PSG player is not yet guaranteed to go to the World Cup, nor is Marcus Thuramin great difficulty with Inter Milan. What about Jean-Philippe Matetajust back from injury after several weeks of absence. The Crystal Palace striker had scored points by scoring 2 goals in his first 3 appearances, but his presence was mainly due to the withdrawals of other players. If Deschamps were to call up 7 or 8 attackers, he would have to find himself in competition with Thauvin, Akliouche, Nkunku or even Comanthey too are far from having stamped their ticket for the United States.
