France national team coach Didier Deschamps released the squad list for Euro 2024 (June 14 – July 14) this Thursday with the return of midfielder N’Golo Kanté, who plays in Saudi Arabia, in addition to striker Kylian Mbappé, as expected.
The call-up of Kanté, 33, is the main news in Deschamps’ announcement, made on the French television channel TF1.
The player was world champion for the ‘Bleus’ in 2018 and is now “in exile” at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. He has not worn the national team shirt since June 3, 2022.
Amid doubts regarding the physical condition of Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is recovering from injury, Deschamps opted for a reliable and experienced player. Tchouaméni was also included on the list.
“I can understand that France fans have not necessarily followed the trajectory of N’Golo Kanté, who played very little in the 2022/2023 season due to a serious injury,” explained Deschamps on TF1.
𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍’𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒛, 𝒍𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒂̀ 😍
The list of our 2️⃣5️⃣ Blues selected for the Euro 👊#CollectiveBlue | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/mjYTKouPRn
— Team de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 16, 2024
“He played a full season. Not in a European league, because he is in Saudi Arabia, but he has completely recovered physically. From his experience, I am sure that France will be stronger with Kante,” he concluded.
In the offensive sector, Mbappé will be the reference alongside names like Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembelé, Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman.
Another highlight on the list is 21-year-old Bradley Barcola, from Paris Saint-Germain, who had never been called up to France’s senior team.
Check out the complete list of 25 players called up for the European Championship:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham/ING), Mike Maignan (Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens/FRA)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille/FRA), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahimovic (Liverpool/ING), Jules Kound (Barcelona/ESP), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Inter de Milan/ITA) , William Saliba (Arsenal/ING), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/ALE)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco/FRA), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus/ITA), Aurelien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG/FRA), N’Golo Kanté (Al -Ittihad/ASA), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Attackers: Bradley Barcola (PSG/FRA), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich/ALE), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG/FRA), Olivier Giroud (Milan/ITA), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG/FRA), Kylian Mbappé (PSG/FRA) , Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA)
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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