The Blues gone! From Thauvin to Nzonzi, where do the 23 2018 world champions play?

Goalkeepers: Lloris took the plunge

Captain of this French team, the legendary Hugo Lloris (37 years old) made the big leap for America. After more than 10 years of good and loyal service to Tottenham, the French goalkeeper said goodbye to Spurs to join Los Angeles FC, in MLS.

A very distinct trajectory from his former understudy Steve Mandanda (38 years old), who still walks the lawns of Ligue 1 with Stade Rennais. Winner of the Europa Conference League last spring, number 3 Alphonse Areola (30 years old) is going through a prosperous period with West Ham.

Defenders: Hernandez and Pavard remain in the spotlight

Of the 8 defenders retained by Didier Deschamps during the Russian epic, only the starting full-backs are still doing well. Long accomplices at Bayern Munich, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez (both 27 years old) have opened a new chapter, respectively at Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. With a special mention for Hernandez, who is making his debut in the capital.

Raphaël Varane (30), in difficulty at Manchester United, sees his name return to Saudi Arabia. Samuel Umtiti (30 years old) does not really succeed in relaunching his career in Lille. Adil Rami (38 years old) ended his career to start a new life behind the microphones, while Presnel Kimpembe (28 years old), just extended by PSG, has been weighed down by injuries for more than a year. For various reasons – the ex-Monegasques Djibril Sidibé (29 years old) and Benjamin Mendy (29 years old) have returned to the ranks. The first is exiled in Greece, at AEK Athens, while the second has a less than stellar experience in Lorient, after his legal problems.

Field midfielders: careers in danger or stopped

This is certainly the sector that has been the most disrupted in the France group. A year ago, in Qatar, the Blues were still shining with a completely overhauled midfield, led by the Tchouaméni-Rabiot-Griezmann trio. No trace of Paul Pogba (30 years old) or N’Golo Kanté (32 years old). An essential figure in the selection, Pogba put his career on hold after receiving a 4-year suspension for testing positive for testosterone. Juventus could terminate his contract.

Kanté, for his part, joined Karim Benzema and the Al Ittihad club in Saudi Arabia. Blaise Matuidi (36 years old) has hung up his boots after a final stint in Miami, while Corentin Tolisso (29 years old) is struggling to find his best level since his return to Olympique Lyonnais. Steven Nzonzi (35 years old) continues his world tour with an experience in Turkey, at Konyaspor.

Attackers: 2 superstars, a resistance fighter and disappointments

Major players in the coronation of the Blues, Kylian Mbappé (25 years old) and Antoine Griezmann (32 years old) remain two of the most impactful footballers in the world. The captain and current vice-captain of the Blues, the two leaders of the group, who have strengthened their bond, have entered the pantheon of club football by becoming top scorers in the history of their respective teams, Paris Saint -Germain and Atlético de Madrid.

The eternal Olivier Giroud (37 years old) remains very deserving. AC Milan’s main triggerman, the center forward plays a lot. Returning to Ligue 1, at PSG, the confusing Ousmane Dembélé (26 years old) keeps an important place in the panorama of French football, unlike the talented Nabil Fekir (30 years old) and Thomas Lemar (28 years old), slightly behind despite good performances in Spain, at Betis Sevilla and Atlético de Madrid. Finally, Florian Thauvin is very close to a return to France after 6 very mixed months at Udinese. The name of the former Marseillais was mentioned in Rennes.