‘I knew I was going to take a 26th player,’ says Didier Deschamps on adding Marcus Thuram to Qatar squad

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Present at a press conference on Monday at Clairefontaine, Didier Deschamps returned to the latest movements in the France group.

While Didier Deschamps has until Monday, November 14 at 7 p.m. to submit his list of players selected for the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18), last minute surprises have slipped into the squad. ‘French team.

The French coach notably summoned a 26th player on Monday, in the person of Marcus Thuram. The selection of the Borussia Mönchengladbach striker was not chosen to prevent possible future risks, such as the physical form of Karim Benzema: “In my mind, I knew I was going to take a 26th but I preferred to take a step back from the games that were going to be played behind. he explained. “It’s a balance in the roster versus defensive and attacking players.”

Asked about the other surprise of the day, namely the withdrawal of Parisian defender Presnel Kimpembe and his replacement by Monegasque Axel Disasi, Didier Deschamps continued: “Everything was done to allow him to remain available. Then there is the reality: his physical situation and his feelings. He had the honesty to face the reality even if it is very painful for him today. (…) I called Axel Disasi because of what he does with his club, left-handed or right-handed. In a three-man defense I would have favored a left-hander, but in a two-man defense it’s different, and I have right-handers who play on the left”.

Still in defense finally, the coach of the France team gave news of Raphaël Varane, who has not played again since his thigh injury on October 22. “He is in his protocol. He has stepped up his athletic work, he has touched up the ball, he still has steps to take. He is fine, he is in good spirits, he has good feelings. He is supposed to be available for the first game”detailed Didier Deschamps.


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