“What worries me the most are the small physical glitches of each other. With those words, dropped after Tottenham’s victory against Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League (2-0), Hugo Lloris, the captain of the Blues, is not mistaken. Great uncertainty currently surrounds the state of form of the players of the France team, while Didier Deschamps will announce, Thursday, September 15, at 2 p.m., his list for the group stage of the League of Nations (two matches against Austria on September 22 and then against Denmark on September 25).
Added to these injuries are variable levels of performance which are worrying two months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18, 2022). Franceinfo: sport provides an overview of the state of Didier Deschamps’ troops.
Pogba, Kanté, Kimpembe … Injuries in all lines
After a disappointing League of Nations campaign this summer (two draws, two defeats), the holidays were not relaxing for several executives of the France team. At the heart of an organized gang extortion case, Paul Pogba also underwent right knee surgery on Monday, September 5. His recovery time is estimated at eight weeks, his participation in the World Cup is compromised.
Thank you guys for all the messages and support!
I’ll be back soon – and stronger than ever! pic.twitter.com/nGgqqz8s6C— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) September 6, 2022
N’Golo Kanté will also not take part in this rally due to a thigh injury contracted with Chelsea at the end of August. The French defense will also not be able to count on Presnel Kimpembe, who injured his hamstrings during PSG-Brest on Saturday (1-0). The Parisian defender will be “away about six weeks”according to his club. Didier Deschamps will also have to do without Lucas Hernandez, unavailable “Several weeks” according to Bayern Munich, after a “left adductor muscle tear“, suffered during the victory against FC Barcelona on Tuesday (2-0).
This Bavarian package is in addition to that of Kingsley Coman, who was injured in training last week. Still in attack, Karim Benzema suffered a muscle injury to the quadriceps of the right thigh, during the trip from Real Madrid to Glasgow, on the occasion of the first day of C1. “If Benzema does not play the derby [contre l’Atlético Madrid, dimanche 18 septembre]he will not go to selection”, warned Carlo Ancelotti, as a warning to Didier Deschamps.
Griezmann, Rabiot, Ben Yedder… Players in difficulty
In parallel with the injuries, the level of play of some questions. Adrien Rabiot, who missed the last two games of Juventus Turin, is the author of a not very flamboyant start to the season, just like that of Wissam Ben Yedder, who lost his place in the starting lineup at AS Monaco.
The Griezmann case is different. With a goal every 64 minutes (three goals in seven games), his start to the season seems idyllic. However, the French striker is never established by Diego Simeone, on the orders of the management of Atlético Madrid, not to pay the amount of the purchase option to FC Barcelona.
Mbappé, Dembélé, Giroud … They are doing well
The gloom is not total for the Blues. With already 10 goals in 8 games in all competitions, Kylian Mbappé already seems to be in orbit, while Ousmane Dembélé appears in the form of his life at Barça (2 goals and 4 assists in 7 games in all competitions). The start of the 2022-2023 financial year is also favorable to the Milanese Olivier Giroud, Mike Maignan and Théo Hernandez.
Snubbed by Didier Deschamps last June, the first has already scored four times, which raises the question of his presence in Blue. His two teammates, who are surfing on their recent title of Italian champion with the Rossoneri, will be called except surprise. In Marseille, Mattéo Guendouzi and Jonathan Clauss are also the authors of a remarkable start to the season.
Fofana, Camavinga, Terrier… Surprises still possible?
Two months before France enters the World Cup [le 22 novembre contre l’Australie]Will Didier Deschamps dare to summon new players?
Young people like Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Martin Terrier (Rennes), Axel Disasi or Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco) are knocking on the door of the “A”, when the “old” Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid ), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Nabil Fekir (Betis) or Clément Lenglet (Tottenham), can still believe it. What give headaches to Didier Deschamps for the last great rehearsal of the Blues before the World Cup.