This Thursday, Didier Deschamps, the national coach, gave his list of 23 players from the French Federation for the three qualifying matches of the 2022 World Cup against Bosnia (September 1, in Strasbourg), Ukraine (September 4, in Kiev ) and Finland (September 7, in Décines).
Extracts from his press conference.
There are four new but more Olivier Giroud.
Have you turned the page Olivier Giroud?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS.
I have never had a radical position for anyone.
He is always available.
His situation changed with his transfer to AC Milan.
It is a sporting choice of the moment.
There is competition with the return of Anthony Martial.
It's my choice today.
It is up to Olivier to continue to be efficient.
He remains available for the France team.
Is Moussa Sissoko's situation the same as for Giroud?
Have you considered not summoning Steve Mandanda?
Olivier Giroud is in a better sporting situation today.
Moussa has been with us very frequently.
Today, he is not on the scoresheet with his club (Tottenham).
They gave a lot to the France team.
Age is there, even if it is not prohibitive.
What is valid now may not be valid in a few months.
From the moment Steve maintains his level of performance… I called him in the number 3 position. Mike Maignan is number 2.
Does the group need to burst the abscess Monday when it will meet at Clairefontaine?
That's a really big word.
I had to communicate in relation to what happened at the Euro.
Discussions with the players, I've always had them.
The guideline is to do everything for the good of the team.
Look behind… What matters is what lies ahead.
We do not hide, it's part of the history but the clear objective is to qualify for the World Cup.
We leave with desire and determination.
There will be individual and collective exchanges.
A word on the four new ones: Theo Hernandez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jordan Veretout and Moussa Diaby?
It is a choice over those that are available.
We have been following them for several months, several years.
I think the potential is there, they are used to the high level.
It is not to be novel.
It is a first step.
It's up to them to make sure they come back regularly.
What do you think of Kylian Mbappé's contractual situation?
I cannot answer for him.
I don't have the ins and outs.
The transfer window ends Tuesday evening, it coincides with the day before the game for us.
I'm not going to fight for it.
If he changes clubs, I'll make sure I'm accommodating.
The future of the player is at stake.
Why did you choose Moussa Diaby?
He is coming out of a very good season with Leverkusen. He has a specific profile, he can play on both sides with a very interesting volume and technical accuracy. He scores, he makes scores. He left with the same level this season. It is up to him to seize this opportunity and then to confirm.
