To govern is to foresee.
It is also choosing.
And Didier Deschamps decided, revealing this Monday a list of 25 players for the World Cup (November 20-December 18).
A list in which we find the expected executives (Mbappé, Lloris, Benzema…) and even some players who were in limbo due to injuries (Varane, Koundé, Kimpembe…).
Nevertheless, the French reservoir being what it is, many quality players will be missing in Qatar.
Because of injury or… by choice.
The 11 of the main French absentees at the 2022 World Cup, a classic 4-4-2.
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The complete 2022 World Cup match schedule
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
Finally, Didier Deschamps will leave for Qatar with the same three goalkeepers as in 2018, leaving aside Mike Maignan, who has established himself as Hugo Lloris' understudy over the years.
Obviously, it is not a choice of the coach: the doorman of AC Milan is unavailable due to injury, insufficiently recovered.
Read alsoWorld Cup: the Blues with Giroud and 25 in Qatar, without Clauss
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Wesley Fofana, Boubacar Kamara, Lucas Digne
In central defense, the coach raked wide.
However, he left out a number of players who could have claimed a place in the France group, such as Benoît Badiashille, Axel Disasi (Monaco), Kurt Zouma (West Ham), Mohamed Simakan (Leipzig) and Pierre Kalulu ( AC Milan), even Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad) or Clément Lenglet (Tottenham).
We will especially have a thought for the former Marseillais Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa), probably returned too late from injury, and Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), still stuck in the infirmary.
On the sides, as side, no discussion to compose this 11 of the absentees, with two players regularly called by Didier Deschamps, Lucas Digne (46 selections) on the left (he had already missed 2018) and Jonathan Clauss (6 selections).
So near, so far...
Midfielders: Jonathan Ikoné, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanté, Moussa Diaby
If we hadn't chosen him in defense, Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) could have been in our 11 in midfield.
Tanguy Ndombélé (Naples) or even the unfortunate Corentin Tolisso (Lyon), so often injured since the World Cup, too.
But there is hardly any debate in this sector of play: the doublet of world champion Paul Pogba (Juventus) / N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) is essential.
In a more offensive register, the 2018 Globalists Thomas Lemar (Atlético) and Nabil Fekir (Betis) could have been part of our 11. Efficient with his club, Martin Terrier (Rennes) could also claim it.
We preferred to bet on Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen) on the left and the ex-Lillois Jonathan Ikoné (Fiorentina), on the right wing.
Forwards: Anthony Martial, Wissam Ben Yedder
Here too, a name stands out: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco).
At 32, it was probably the last opportunity for the former Toulousain and to replay a World Cup.
19 selections for him, and three goals.
Didier Deschamps left us many choices to compose our line of attack.
Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle), Marcus Thuram (M'Gladbach) or Anthony Martial (Manchester United)?
We chose Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt), called up for the last rally (2 selections) and who scored in his last two outings in the Champions League.
The 11 of the Blues who will miss the World
Cup: Maignan - Clauss, W. Fofana, Kamara, Digne - Ikoné, Pogba, Kanté, Diaby - Kolo Muani, Ben Yedder
World Cup: the 25 Blues in pictures
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