France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his FIFA World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while 36-year-old striker Olivier Giroud was also called up
France trainer Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup team on Wednesday despite the protector’s recent injury problems, while 36- time-old striker Olivier Giroud was also called up. Deschamps named 25 of a possible 26 players for the event in Qatar, where France will essay to come the first platoon to defend their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Eleven members of the 2018 title- winning team return, including captain Hugo Lloris and reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, along with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Ballond’Or winner Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014.
Benzema was firmed out of the France platoon for five- and-a-half times due to his part in a blackmail reproach involving a sextape and his transnational teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
He was condemned for his part in that affair last time but by also he’d returned to the France side, playing at Euro 2020 and in the platoon that won the UEFA Nations League.
Giroud is two pretensions down from equalling Thierry Henry’s public record of 51 but has frequently been overlooked since Benzema’s recall.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward, now with AC Milan, would come France’s oldest outfield player at a World Cup.
“You know tonight, I made some people unhappy. I’m well apprehensive of that,” Deschamps told TF1.
“I made 25 players happy, but they will. all want to be in the starting 11. But it will not be possible, but it’s the strength of the group that will be more important.”
Paris Saint- Germain centre- reverse Presnel Kimpembe was picked despite ham and Achilles problems that have limited him to five appearances since the launch of September.
Varane will have gone a month without playing by the time Les Bleus meet Australia in their opening game of the World Cup on November 22.
“The two cases are different,” said Deschamps.” Kimpembe has had a little solicitude but he will be available for his club for the last league match on Sunday.
“Varane has a longer- term injury but he too could be available against Australia if everything goes well.”
Deschamps has plenitude of cover in central defence with William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konate in the team. Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez can also fill in there.
Mandanda, 37, took the place of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has been hampered by a shin injury.
France are without first- choice midfield brace Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, leaving Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot as the probable starters.
They will be supported by Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Marseille brace Jordan Veretout and Matteo Guendouzi. Know More FIFA News….
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Rennes/FRA), Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG)
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich/GER), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich/GER), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Raphael Varane (Manchester United/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich/GER), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona/ESP), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan/ITA), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig/GER)
