France national team manager Didier Deschamps revealed this Thursday afternoon his squad for Les Bleus’ October fixtures.
As previously revealed on Wednesday, Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté and Marseille right-back Jonathan Clauss have been recalled by Deschamps. The former RB Leipzig defender has missed last September’s international break through injury. Clauss’ return to the France squad is a significant move by Deschamps given Les Bleus have recently fielded centre-backs, namely Jules Koundé and Benjamin Pavard, to occupy the defensive right flank.
𝗟𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘 des 2️⃣3️⃣ joueurs convoqués pour le rassemblement d'octobre, avec le retour de @Djoninho25 🙌
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 5, 2023
2 matchs attendent nos Bleus :
13/10 : 🇳🇱🇫🇷 à Amsterdam (qualif' Euro 2024)
17/10 : 🇫🇷🏴 à Lille (amical)#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/TsyZ5wy83M
The returns of both Konaté and Clauss occur at the expense of Nice’s centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo and Chelsea’s Axel Disasi. Despite featuring regularly for Al-Ittihad now, Deschamps’s France midfield stalwart N’Golo Kanté has missed out.
Les Bleus will arguably play their toughest game yet as part of their campaign to qualify for the Euro 2024 with an away outing against The Netherlands on Friday October 13, at Amsterdam. France lead Group B courtesy of their five wins in as many games, against The Netherlands (4-0), Ireland (1-0, 2-0), Gibraltar (3-0) and Greece (1-0). France will then host Scotland at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy for a friendly game on 17th October.
Didier Deschamps’ France squad to face The Netherlands and Scotland
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid),
Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
