If N’Golo Kanté is for the moment the only player forfeited for the World Cup-2022, several French internationals, including Paul Pogba and Raphaël Varane, still remain in the infirmary nine days from the list of coach Didier Deschamps. During the last gathering of the Blues, in September, as part of the last matches of the League of Nations, about fifteen players were absent. Update on injuries and returns.
They will have to whip
Concern is growing day by day for Paul Pogba. The midfielder’s last game dates back to April and he is struggling to recover from meniscus surgery on his right knee. Back in training on October 18, Pogba races against the clock to find his way back to competition. His coach at Juventus Turin, Massimiliano Allegri, had clarified about him that it is “unlikely” that he will play again before the end of the World Cup. However, Didier Deschamps, who will judge on a “case by case” basis, has already told AFP that he would have liked to see the “Pioche” on the pitch before the World Cup. “That he has playing time before the competition, as much as possible, I say yes, because he is in deficit compared to the others”.
The tears of Raphaël Varane, released injured in a thigh on October 22, did not bode well for the defense of the Blues, far from being reassuring in recent months. But the Manchester United player wants to believe it: “I feel much better”, he assured on social networks on Sunday. He will not play again before Qatar, but for him, no rhythm problem, unlike Pogba. The situation is similar for the N.2 goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, who relapsed from a calf injury. But “the door remains open”, assured Didier Deschamps. A time announced forfeit for the World Cup due to a knee injury, midfielder Boubacar Kamara is approaching a return to collective training… But he has come a long way.
They remain fragile
Absent in September for the matches against Austria and Denmark, the Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema is not 100%. Back in training on Monday, he has just missed Real Madrid’s last three matches for a thigh problem. “He has passed tests, which have shown that he has no physical problem. But we must take into account the feelings of the player”explained his coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday.
Another part of the Blues on the flank, Lucas Hernandez sees the end of the tunnel: he resumed collective training on Monday with Bayern Munich, after seven weeks of absence for an adductor injury (thigh). For Jules Koundé, caution is in order after a muscular “overload” in a thigh, where he was injured in September. The Catalan is saved for Barcelona’s trip to Pilsen in the Champions League on Tuesday. His friend from Real Madrid, Aurélien Tchouaméni, for his part, was preserved this weekend for “not to risk an unnecessary injury”.
They resumed competition
Absent in September, they have already returned to the field. Hit in the thigh at the start of the school year, Theo Hernandez has been in a string of tenures with AC Milan since October 8, like Adrien Rabiot with Juventus Turin, after a recalcitrant muscle injury. Victim of a torn thigh muscle, Kingsley Coman resumed with caution with Bayern Munich, rarely playing more than half time. As for captain Hugo Lloris, package in September for the League of Nations, he is fully recovered. This is also the case of Presnel Kimpembe, whose hamstring injury has long worried the side of Paris SG. He had his first start on Saturday.
Defender Lucas Digne has also just returned from an ankle edema: he played 20 minutes this weekend. Another defensive candidate, Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) has had two injuries but has returned to the Reds group for two games, without coming into play.
As for Steve Mandanda, who can still hope for a summons if Mike Maignan withdraws, he held his rank on Sunday with Rennes, after experiencing a small physical alert Thursday in the Europa League.