France squad: what does Didier Deschamps have in store for his first roster after the World Cup?

Rarely has a return to the French national team been so anticipated. Three months after losing the World Cup final to Argentina in a fateful penalty shootout (3-3, 4-2 from penalties), the Blues will be back to business as usual.

Extended until June 2026, Didier Deschamps will announce on Thursday 16 March (14:00) his list for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with two matches: against the Netherlands on 24 March (20:45) at the Stade de France, then Ireland, 27 March (20:45) in Dublin. Two live matches on TF1 and live commentary on TF1info.

After the retirement of ex-captain Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Rafael Varane or Karim Benzema, this first list after the World Cup should give honor to newcomers. “I’m not afraid of emptiness, other players will take the place”assured “DD” in Figaro 10th of March. Before the meeting at the FFF headquarters, upset in recent weeks by the resignation of Noel Le Grae, its (ex-)president, trends are already emerging.

As a goalkeeper, the horizon is now clear for Mike Menyan (“Milan”). Deprived of the World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury, the goalkeeper who trained at PSG and was exposed by LOSC will return to the Blues, this time in number 1 boots. He must be called out by “DD”. Alphonse Areola (West Ham) and Bryce Samba (RC Lens), which will mark its first convocation. The tricolor coach would have preferred the goalkeeper of “Sang y Or”, the author of a wonderful season in Artois. Called up last September, Alban Lafont (Nantes) would have been a big loser. He will remain on the sidelines, while Ilan Mellier (Leeds United) will remain at the disposal of Sylvain Ripoll’s Nadezhda.

New, will be in protection. Didier Deschamps must include at least one new face in his rotation, Telefoot reports. Balanced with Jean-Clair Todibo (OGC Nice), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea) are on track to make their first steps at Clairefontaine with fives to make up for the absence of Prenel Kimpembe, unavailable until the end of the season. The centre-back, who has been training in Saint-Étienne, has been followed for some time by the Blues headquarters, who intend to give him a chance along with Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) and William Saliba (Arsenal).

Used as a left flank for the Blues and also called upon to assist in this position at the club, versatile Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) will be called, like Theo Hernandez (Milan) and Jules Kunde (Football club Barcelona). Case Benjamin Pawar (Bayern) asks him questions. Relegated at the last World Cup, he found a second wind in Bavaria. “DD” who wants to use it on the right, while he prefers to play axis, will he call him back? Very likely.

In the middle, the hierarchy is known and established. We are waiting for the same title trio as at the World Championships, with Aurélien Chuameni (Real Madrid) and Adrian Rabiot (Juventus Turin) accompanied byAntoine Griezmann (Atletico de Madrid) as a torchbearer. With the packages of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Boubacar Camara, Yusuf Fofana (Monaco) and Jordan Veretut (Olympique de Marseille) should also be there. On the other hand, Matteo Guendouzi, who is present in Qatar, must be rejected. Three names appear to take their place: Chefren Thuram (OGC Nice), who starts with a handicap, Manu Kone (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and… Valentin Rongier, his captain and teammate on the Canebière.

In attack it will be like deja vu. Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen) should return to the list with Ousmane Dembele and Christopher Nkunku injured. The former Parisian would complement the globalists who Kylian Mbappe (PSG), in competition with “Grisou” for the captain’s armband, Olivier Giroud (Milan), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Randal Colo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach).