The countdown is launched: in 289 days will kick off the next World Cup (June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico), the last of the era-deschamps. Four international windows will succeed one another by then, including the first one next week with two meetings on the Blues program, as part of qualifying at the World Cup.
Three months after their third place obtained in the League of Nations at the expense of Germany (0-2), Didier Deschamps' men will launch their campaign by defying Ukraine in Wrocław (Poland), on September 5, then Iceland four days later at the Parc des Princes to launch their campaign (due to their participation in June, the French team was donated to a group of 4 and starts its qualifications. It is in this context that Didier Deschamps unveiled his first list of the season this Wednesday.
No Ekitike, first for Akliouche
Unsurprisingly, Mike Maignan, Lucas Chevalier and Brice Samba are called to the goalkeepers. Packages in June, Jules Koundé, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano also make their return to the group. Benjamin Pavard is not called, unlike Malo Gusto, very interesting in June. In the middle, Aurélien Tchouameni will answer the call, just like Manu Koné, but also Adrien Rabiot, yet in the middle of a club uncertainty after the episode of his fight with Jonathan Rowe. Kephren Thuram makes him return after almost two years of absence.
He too is in a fairly uncomfortable position, but he is not called: Randal Kolo Muani. In the Parisian loft since his return from the Club World Cup, the French striker is still waiting for his transfer to Italy to settle, and he will have to wait before postponing the Blues jersey. Didier Deschamps preferred to call on players physically ready. From this perspective, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué (in the midfield), Marcus Thuram and Michael Olise are summoned. Hugo Ekitike, sparkling at the start of the season with Liverpool, will have to wait for his turn. The surprise of this list is mainly around Maghnes Akliouche, called for the first time.
The full list:
Guardians: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: Theo Hernandez (al-Hilal), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain)
Environment: Adrien Rabiot (OM), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Kephren Thuram (Juventus Turin)
Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Rayan Cherki (OL), Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco)
