Zinédine Zidane rings changes at full-back as Koundé alone survives | OneFootball

Zinédine Zidane has overhauled France’s full-back options, with centre-back Jules Koundé the only World Cup returnee in September’s squad. Aware of the shortage of elite specialists, he has chosen to innovate.

According to Le Progres, Lucas Digne, Theo Hernandez and Malo Gusto are left out. Digne is not starting at PSG and was at fault in the World Cup semi-final against Spain, Hernandez’s dip has told against him, and Gusto lacks senior minutes.

Zidane said Gusto and Maghnes Akliouche remain in contention and have not necessarily dropped down the pecking order.

For his first four games, he has recalled Adrien Truffert and Pierre Kalulu, with one and three caps, and given Andy Diouf a debut, part of a Serie A group of six.

An Inter Milan player who has recently learnt the right wing-back role is expected to operate on the left in a more defensive brief. He was preferred to Matthieu Udol, who was pre-called, and Zidane does not see Warren Zaïre-Emery as a fallback there.

Zidane called them strong, important choices in a thin department and said the players are good enough for France. The trio could benefit from softer competition, while Estéban Lepaul and Lucas Da Cunha may find fewer immediate openings in midfield or up front.

After Zidane’s clear-out down the flanks, it is now for the new faces to make it count.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”