We are not going to lie to each other and even allow ourselves to break down an open door.
Internationals wishing to participate in the Euro next summer (11 June-11 July 2021) have every interest in appearing in the list - the last before the famous of the 23 elected next May - unveiled by Didier Deschamps this Thursday.
With three matches on the program (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, March 24, 28 and 31), counting for the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, the expected France group will be the one, more or less, which will appear in the Championship. from Europe.
»READ ALSO - Euro 2021: replace Deschamps and make your list of 23 Blues
On this subject, the coach of the world champions does not hide.
He already claims to know "about twenty" elected for his list of 23 and it is not his habit to carry out last-minute experiments.
Even if he hates the term "test", the gatherings of September, October and November have allowed him to turn into a laboratory assistant.
To try to find the best formula on the field, to launch players and especially to observe the attitude of newcomers as to their ability to blend into the famous "group spirit".
A must for "DD".
Ousmane Dembélé's magnificent goal against Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey
An expanded list
This March list, polluted by the health context and the pressure emitted by the clubs to release the internationals, will therefore have a foretaste of the Euro.
Most executives, except injury, will be present at Clairefontaine on Monday, such as Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Lucas Hernandez, N'Golo Kanté, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé or Olivier Giroud.
Doubts remain about the presence of Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman.
The first, on the flank since early February with Manchester United, is announced on the return.
The second suffers from muscle pain and could be spared so as not to take any risks.
If they get the green light from the clubs, those two items will be on an expanded list.
As in the fall, the staff of the Blues should call more players than expected, in particular because of the three meetings scheduled in eight days and with the very significant fear of the Covid.
Ousmane Dembélé has not played in Blues since November 2018
For the rest, Didier Deschamps "left" Houssem Aouar, Eduardo Camavinga and Jonathan Ikoné at the disposal of the Hopes, whose first phase of Euro 2021 is scheduled in Hungary in March.
Note also the known absences of Dayot Upamecano and Corentin Tolisso, injured.
This should benefit Kurt Zouma in defense and probably Tanguy Ndombélé (6th selection, last cap in June 2019), again bleeding with Tottenham in the midfield.
Thomas Lemar, also in better shape with Atlético, could be there.
The real novelty of the list could concern Ousmane Dembélé (21 caps, 2 goals), back to a better level with Barcelona (27 matches, 6 goals).
Often criticized by the coach for his lack of seriousness and a questionable lifestyle - no longer called since October ... 2018 - the 23-year-old world champion would have regained some credit and a real chance to shine for the Euro.
Hurry up.
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