Why be original when you are satisfied with what you have in stock?
This Thursday, Didier Deschamps announced the list of 24 players selected for the League of Nations matches which will be played on June 3, 6, 10 and 13 against Denmark, Croatia, Austria and Croatia again.
No surprise, except for a new kid.
Giroud, the great absentee
Recalled in March to compensate for the absence of Karim Benzema, back this time, the AC Milan striker was not renewed.
A strong choice of the coach who had established him on the matches played, against South Africa (5-0) and Côte d'Ivoire (2-1).
Giroud had scored twice.
Not enough to return.
“I want to give other offensive players the opportunity to get tougher,” defended Deschamps.
He cited Christopher Nkunku, Moussa Diaby and Wissam Ben Yedder "all performing very well too".
Six months before the World Cup (November 21-December 18), Giroud therefore sees his turn pass once again, even if nothing is excluded in the future.
To the question, "Giroud or Benzema in your mind?"
“, the response of DD, a bit annoyed, was the following:” I leave you free to your hasty conclusions.
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“The moment” for Kamara
This is the only surprise on the list.
The Marseillais Boubacar Kamara takes advantage of the absence of Paul Pogba, injured, in midfield to make his first appearance for the France team.
At 22, he has been picked up for several months by Senegal, his father's country of origin, but Deschamps wants to see him at work.
"He is there in relation to what he achieves with his club in a very particular register", commented the coach, believing that it was "the moment" to call the player.
The 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲̀𝗿𝗲 for our kid 😍
Congratulations to @boubaKamara_4 for his selection in @equipedefrance 👏🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus ⎮ #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/EyfM3gYwtn
– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) May 19, 2022
Author of a good season with OM, he is rewarded for his performance in a period which could prove decisive, knowing that all the March rookies have been recalled (Nkunku, Clauss, Saliba).
The four games in June should allow him to honor his first cape in blue, and why not open new doors for him as the World Cup approaches.
Dembélé and Camavinga not rewarded, Konaté either
Didier Deschamps is still depriving himself of Ousmane Dembélé who has found playing time in Barcelona.
“It's a question of competition but also of use in a system.
Using it in our current system as a piston, I know that's not its job.
“Trends emerge and, with the 3-5-2 in effect, the former Rennais does not tick all the boxes in the eyes of the coach.
His last match with the Blues dates back to the Euro against Hungary (1-1), June 19, 2021.
Eduardo Camavinga, who shone with his Champions League entries with Real, also applied to replace Pogba, but it was therefore Kamara who had the favor of the staff.
In defense, Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) was an option, but his turn has not yet come.
Executives in the hard
One of the main questions of the next gathering, which will start on Saturday May 28, will be the performance of the leading players in difficulty in their respective clubs: Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) and Raphaël Varane (Manchester United).
For the first, Deschamps moderates: “He is not in his best period because he is less decisive, with more complicated matches for him.
But it happens to everyone at one time or another.
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For the vice-captain of the Blues, “it's the same, but is his club at best?
asks Deschamps.
Both aspire to find a second wind with the France team to end the season well before going on vacation.
