Samba, Fofana and Thuram in novelties, Pavard and Giroud summoned again
Wesley Fofana, left; Chephren Thuram, right. Panoramic.
Didier Deschamps unveiled his group for the start of the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Thursday. A list, the first since the defeat in the final of the 2022 World Cup, in which new faces appear.
She was (very) expected. Didier Deschamps unveiled this Thursday afternoon his list for the start of the Euro 2024 qualifiers (group B), his first since the defeat of the French team in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar against Argentina (3-3, 4-3 after pens). The coach of the Blues has decided to call twenty-three players to face the Netherlands at the Stade de France on Friday March 24 (8:45 p.m.) And Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Monday March 27 (8:45 p.m.). A group in which – retirements and injuries oblige – are three new faces.
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Samba, Fofana and Thuram in novelties
Excellent with RC Lens since the start of the season, Brice Samba is taking advantage of recent international retirements from‘Hugo Lloris and of Steve Mandanda to join the France team, probably as number three, behind Mike Maignan, back with the Blues after his injury, and Alphonse Aréola. In central defense, Wesley Fofana is also called up for the first time in his (young) career. The ex-Stéphanois, long injured at the start of the season, seems to replace, at least numerically, Raphaël Varane, who has decided to end his adventure with the Blues.
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In midfield, Didier Deschamps also gave us a little surprise. Or rather two. Eduardo Camavinga, trained as a defensive midfielder / relay player, is now considered by the coach of the Blues as a left side ; a position he had discovered during the last World Cup and which he has since regularly occupied with Real Madrid. Khephren Thuram, who is performing well with the Aiglons, is the third novelty on this list. It is Mattéo Guendouzi, a notch below since the 2022 World Cup, who pays the price for his call.
SEE ALSO – Wesley Fofana’s move to Leicester City
Benjamin Pavard and Olivier Giroud still present
Dismissed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Benjamin Pavard, who remains on solid performances with FC Bayern Munich – despite his expulsion against Paris SG – was again called up by Didier Deschamps. Just like Olivier Giroud who is now the dean of the France team (36 years old). The top scorer in the history of the Blues (53 goals) could improve his record in the two qualifying matches for Euro 2024.
In front, even if there are no surprises, it is necessary to point out the presence of Moussa Diaby, who undoubtedly benefits from the injuries of Ousmane Dembélé and Christopher Nkunku. Important in Qatar, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani are also summoned.
The list of 23 selected Blues:
Guardians (3): Alphonse Areola (West Ham/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders (8): Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich/GER ), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
Backgrounds (5): Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus Turin / ITA), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid / ESP), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards (7) : Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich / GER), Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen / GER), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan / ITA), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid / ESP), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt / GER), Kylian Mbappé (Paris SG ), Marcus Thuram (Mönchengladbach/GER)
