Two new and a return to the list of Blues?

RMC took stock of the latest trends for the next list of Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French team.

The radio does not mention the position of goalkeeper, while two elements will be missing, this Thursday 16 (day of the announcement of the list of Blues): Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda. The Totteham goalkeeper, like that of Rennes, retired from international football after the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. To replace them, Didier Deschamps should promote Mike Maignan (AC Milan) to number 1, with, behind the former Lille, Alphonse Areola (5 PL games with West Ham this season) and Brice Samba (RC Lens), who never knew the Blues.

Fofana on pole for the defense?

According to information from RMC, Wesley Fofana (22), in balance with Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice) and Axel Disasi (Monaco), is strongly expected to join the France team, in central defense. Raphaël Varane, who retired from international duty after the World Cup, leaves a vacancy in the group. Behind the probable holders Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) and Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), then William Saliba (Arsenal), the Chelsea player could be called up for the Blues for the first time.

On the left of the defense, Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, a training midfielder, should be summoned as the understudy of Théo Hernandez (AC Milan), in the direct continuation of the successful experimentation of the World Cup. On the right, while Jonathan Clauss (OM) seems distanced, Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), cold with the coach during the epic in Qatar, is in competition with Jules Koundé (Barça), as well as Nordi Mukiele (PSG) and Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig).

Diaby on the return?

To compensate for the absence of Ousmane Dembélé through injury, Didier Deschamps could call Moussa Diaby. The Bayer Leverkusen winger, in form this season (33 games, 11 goals, 6 assists), has not been called up to the Blues since June 2022. The rest of the attack should not move compared to the World Cup (Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram).

Finally, in the middle, Valentin Rongier (OM), Manu Koné (Mönchengladbach), Jordan Veretout (OM) or even Kephren Thuram (Nice) and Mattéo Guendouzi (OM), the latter being in poor shape, are in balance.