Zidane names first France squad, stalwarts eased out as others keep hope | OneFootball

Zidane’s first France squad, announced on Friday, signals an overhaul that nudges several Didier Deschamps-era stalwarts towards international retirement, while others might yet return.

According to L'Équipe, Lucas Hernandez, 30, and N’Golo Kanté were unused at the World Cup and are omitted. Theo Hernandez is also left out, with Andy Diouf and Adrien Truffert preferred on the left, a change that also sidelines Lucas Digne. Kanté’s regular starts at Fenerbahçe have not saved his spot.

Zidane praised Kanté’s exemplary career but, at 35, said he had to make choices. He is planning a four-season cycle that also excludes Karim Benzema, 38, and said he admires him but needs to look at younger players.

Youth is no guarantee. Maghnes Akliouche, 24, and Malo Gusto, 23, were not called after secondary roles in the United States. Jean-Philippe Mateta, injured since late August, and Marcus Thuram, both 29, are in the same bracket and, in Zidane’s eyes, do not fit the ideal profile, though the door stays open for Akliouche and Gusto.

He said he wanted 20 outfield players to avoid leaving anyone in the stands, insisted the omitted remain selectable and could return next time, and that there is no demotion. Even so, Brice Samba, 32, may worry, with the refresh elevating Guillaume Restes, 21, into the goalkeeping trio. Some absentees will now face lighter international breaks, while others, such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, may see this as a pause, but 23 players have the first chance to impress.

Source: L'Équipe

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