The coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps, gave this Thursday, March 18, an expanded list of 26 players, called up for the start of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup at the end of March. But upheaval of the calendar requires, this list is also the penultimate before a European Championship shifted by one year (June 11-July 11, 2021) due to the Covid-19. And for those absent, the blue plane risks taking off without them, and not only to Kazakhstan on the 28th and in Bosnia on the 31st after the reception of Ukraine on March 24 at the Stade de France.
The history of the Blues is paved with exceptions, but an unwritten rule is that the elected officials in March are often in May (in a list reduced to 23). Titillated on this subject at a press conference, the coach tried the rhetorical counterattack: “It is better to be in May than in March. “ Unstoppable. But he made it clear in the process that he would not change “For the sake of change”.
Not really the kind of house. Within a group where no major executive is missing, the boss of the Blues is no longer opening the door to a new kid. Too bad for those who dreamed of seeing, for example, the Montpellier Téji Savanier experience an international destiny on the threshold of his thirties.
For Deschamps, the time for testing seems over. The November rally was arguably the last draft. Marcus Thuram had taken advantage of it at the time. But despite the promises interviewed in blue, the Mönchengladbach striker points among the absent. Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), away from the field for several months, is, as expected, the big absent from this gathering.
The cases of Eduardo Camavinga, Houssem Aouar and Jonathan Ikoné are different. The trio is for the moment left at the disposal of Sylvain Ripoll, coach of the Espoirs for the qualifications for the Euro, scheduled from May 31 to June 6. But, good news for those concerned, Didier Deschamps warned that “The France A team will once again have priority at the end of May”. For these “Bleuets”, there is therefore a little hope of being upgraded.
Deschamps has his “hard core” for the Euro
For others, this list falls like an outstretched hand after difficult months. This is the case of the 2018 world champions (without playing too much) Ousmane Dembélé and Thomas Lemar, in difficulty in their respective clubs, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.
Formerly presented as the great hope of French football on a par with Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé is trying to regain the time lost between two injuries. But for Deschamps, his talent and his current performances encourage him to see him again.
“For several weeks, he has been playing games and has regained his athletic abilities. With a real ability to make differences. He plays, scores goals, even if he could score more. “
Thomas Lemar was given lost for the France team at the start of the season. Subscribed to the sidelines with his club, the former Monegasque has finally found his place in the device of the demanding Diego Simeone, to a new position of midfielder. It was not enough for Didier Deschamps. “He had a very short playing time in the fall, today his level of performance is much better”, salutes a coach who has always given the player some credit and his magical left foot.
“I do not plan on the May list”, assures Didier Deschamps
The other return is that of the middle of Tottenham Ndombélé (24 years old, 6 caps), more appeared in the jersey with two stars since June 2019. The Spurs player takes advantage of Steven Nzonzi’s poor form with Rennes. A valuable substitute when he entered against Croatia in the World Cup final, the former Sevilla FC proves that the France group remains open. At least in the direction of exit and at the margin.
“I’m not planning on the May list, assures Didier Deschamps. There will be contingencies between now and then with injuries in particular. But of course I already have my hard core. “ Unlike a Raymond Domenech (2004-2010), he does not risk taking a Pascal Chimbonda out of his hat, a very surprised guest for the 2006 World Cup.
In 2018, the technician was astonished by summoning for the first time a Lucas Hernandez, who was then said to be more tempted by the Spanish selection. Yes, but the name of the left side had appeared during the list of… March. The one that also matters a lot, whatever its main architect may say.
The full list of 26 players
Guardians: Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Mike Maignan, Steve Mandanda.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Léo Dubois, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Clément Lenglet, Ferland Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Kurt Zouma.
Environments : N’Golo Kanté, Tanguy Ndombélé, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko.
Attackers: Wissam Ben Yedder, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Anthony Martial, Kylian Mbappé.
