Didier Deschamps unveiled this Wednesday, May 31 the list of 23 players to face Gibraltar and Greece in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
14:45 – The group of 23
END OF LIVE. Didier Deschamps’ press conference is over, here is the group of 23 to prepare for the two matches against Gibraltar and Greece.
Didier Deschamps unveiled the ??????????????????? ?????????? 2️⃣3️⃣ ??????????????????? summoned for our next 2 qualifying matches for EURO 2024 ????
June 16: ???????? Gibralter ???? France ????????
June 19: ???????? France ???? Greece???????#ProudToBeBlues pic.twitter.com/vAzQCedDuf— French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 31, 2023
2:35 p.m. – Deschamps happy with the enthusiasm around the Blues
“It’s a great joy to see the attachment that this French team has with its public. The Stade de France still has 80,000 seats, there are not many selections that play in 80,000 seat stadiums.
14:29 – Thuram available to hopefuls
Announced injured, Kheprhen Thuram was made available to hopefuls by Didier Deschamps. “We talk a lot with Sylvain Ripoll (the Espoirs coach, editor’s note). When there is a competition like that, it is normal that he can have the best team. Khephren came with us during the last meeting.
14:27 – No Lacazette, Deschamps explains his choice
“Good for him if he scored so many goals. He’s playing more than last season. He’s always had that quality as a goalscorer. There’s a lot of competition in the position too. I’m not going to put three or four in the same position. We continue to follow him. Each position is doubled. Today, Kolo Muani and Giroud are the two who occupy this position.”
14:23 – “Pogba has a difficult season”
“I talked a lot with Paul. He’s had a very difficult season, already off the field. He has repeated injuries. He had a problem again. Obviously he was thinking about it depending on the games he played. he could have played. He was a fundamental player, will he be in the next few years? I hope so. I hope so for him and the France team.”
14:18 – Deschamps’ justification of Ferland Mendy
“For Ferland Mendy, on the last rally in March he was injured. He took a little time to come back. He has already come with us, he too has versatility, since he can also play on the right, even if he’s a left-back. He’s not in top form but that doesn’t take anything away from his qualities.”
14:13 – Camavinga in midfield
“I didn’t want to have a larger group to put players in the stands. I have practically three options for each position. To be quiet. Because we don’t know what can happen. It’s one of the criteria too. Eduardo has that ability, he’s very good in the middle and he’s been good at left-back.”
14:11 – Only one player in the European final for Didier Deschamps
Only Alphonse Areola is concerned with a European final with the Europa League conference. “For the players it’s good to play in the European Cup finals. Not the case this year, it will allow everyone to be involved from the first day of the meeting, except Alphonse. Always a complicated period in June, again more this year with the world Cup.”
14:09 – An advanced gathering
Didier Deschamps indicated in a press conference, the gathering of the Blues was brought forward to Friday to prepare for the two meetings.
14:04 – The list of 23 players with Ferland Mendy back
Didier Deschamps has just announced the list of 23 players who will play the next two games against Gibraltar and Greece:
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (RC Lens), Alphonse Areola (West Ham).
- Defenders: Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Jules Kounde (FC Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Axel Disasi (AS Monaco), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid).
- Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus Turin), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid).
- Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Ousmane Dembélé (FC Barcelona), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach).
13:55 – Rongier, the only surprise?
Valentin Rongier, midfielder and captain of OM, can claim a place in the 23 in place of Khephren Thuram, injured in the back with OGC Nice. Always close, but never present, the former Nantes player could finally be rewarded.
13:44 – Surprises in attack?
Can Alexandre Lacazette apply for a return to the France team? While the Lyon striker isn’t the youngest, he is Ligue 1’s second top scorer with 27 and can rightfully claim a spot in the 23. The only ‘surprises’ on the list might be comebacks of Nkunku and Ousmane Dembélé, causing Moussa Diaby and Marcus Thuram to be sidelined.
1:30 p.m. – Several injured before the list
Once again, the list of Didier Deschamps will be without Paul Pogba or N’Golo Kanté, still injured and absent from the group for several months. William Saliba, injured in the back, should not be in this list either, just like the midfielder of Nice Khephren Thuram, victim of a muscular injury to the right thigh.