UEFA could authorize on April 19, lists extended to 25 or 26 players for Euro 2021. This would protect against cases of Covid-19 within the selections and ward off states of general fatigue.
"If UEFA looks into the subject of expanding the list with two or three additional players, it would be a good thing," explained Didier Deschamps after the success in Bosnia (1-0) .
But at the end of this rally in March, the last before the list for the month of May, the boss of the Blues still has to think about a list of 23 names.
Here is the form it could take.
Those who are sure to be there
Apart from a serious injury that would bring their season to a premature end, the following twelve goalkeepers and players are already guaranteed to participate in Euro 2021. Among these are almost only 2018 world champions. Among the goalkeepers Hugo Lloris the captain of the Blues and his number two Steve Mandanda will be on the trip.
In defense, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez will also be called up.
In the midfield, we will undoubtedly find Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, and in attack Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud.
Those who will no doubt be there
Regularly called up since the start of the season, Mike Maignan has settled down to number 3 in the hierarchy of goalkeepers.
The Lille goalkeeper performs well with LOSC, co-leader of the French Championship.
It is difficult to see a trend reversal in this position where Alphonse Areola, Benoît Costil or even Benjamin Lecomte have lost ground in recent months.
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In defense, Lucas Digne, Clément Lenglet and Leo Dubois gradually slipped into the linings of the usual holders.
Apart from a severe drop in their performance or their playing time by the end of the season - which cannot be completely ruled out - they have worked for many months for their participation in the Euro.
In the midfield, with Corentin Tolisso's package and Eduardo Camavinga's slump, Tanguy Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko, the Spurs' torchbearers stand out as two ready-made solutions.
Especially if Deschamps is moving towards a list with five professional circles.
Finally in attack, Ousmane Dembélé and Kingsley Coman proved during this last gathering that they are going through a good pass and that their talent only asks to be expressed in the selection.
As for Thomas Lemar, he seems to have returned, too, in the small papers, and the holder of Madrid against Kazakhstan and Bosnia, has the advantage of being able to also evolve in the midfield.
Which is not neutral.
Those who can dream of it
Kurt Zouma, the central defender of Chelsea, is the favorite to accompany the three axial already in place.
He is far ahead of players like Dayot Upamecano or Samuel Umtiti.
But depending on the structure of the list, Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy may still have little hope if the coach opts for a three-center solution, with the possibility of tipping Hernandez or even Pavard in the axis.
Retained in the 26 players during this last gathering, Mendy did not play a minute.
But Deschamps knows his qualities and his versatility.
An enlarged list or the poor form of his competitors, Digne or Dubois, and there again he would only have to pack his suitcase.
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In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga will have to give Rennes a serious boost if he wants to convince Deschamps to get him on the plane for Munich where the Blues will play their first match.
Ditto for his club partner, Steven Nzonzi for whom the experience in Blue is an asset.
For these two, it's going to be complicated but if Deschamps feels the need to add a sixth midfielder to his list, why not ...
In attack, Wissam Ben Yedder has a good card to play in the coming weeks.
The boss of the Blues appreciates his technical qualities and his state of mind.
It could, however, compete that Deschamps appreciates in a center-forward position, even if the Mancunien must be more effective in club but especially in selection (1 goal in 24 selections).
The 23 possible.
Lloris, Mandanda, Maignan - Pavard, Dubois, Varane, Zouma, Kimpembe, Lenglet, Hernandez, Digne - Pogba, Kanté, Rabiot, Sissoko, Ndombele - Mbappé, Coman, Giroud, Ben Yedder, Griezmann, Dembélé, Lemar.
