On Thursday, October 3, France captain Kylian Mbappe was not included in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games, as announced by coach Didier Deschamps.
Mbappe recently returned from a thigh injury, coming on as a substitute during a surprising 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League. However, the coach decided to rest him for the matches against Israel and Belgium to help him regain full fitness.
“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” Deschamps shared with reporters in Paris.
France is set to play Israel on Thursday, October 10, in an away match relocated to Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East. They will then face Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14.
Currently, France has three points after their first two games in Group A2, which is led by Italy with six points.
This squad announcement is the first since vice-captain Antoine Griezmann retired from international football earlier this week. Deschamps commented, “He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way. I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku is back in the squad after last playing in June 2023, while midfielder N’Golo Kante is also missing.
France Squad:
– Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)
– Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
– Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan/ITA), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
– Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)
