replace Kingsley Coman, recall Warren Zaire-Emery… The questions that arise before Didier Deschamps’ list

The Blues coach reveals, on Thursday, his list of 23 players for the two friendly matches against Germany and Chile, three months before the European Championship in Germany.

Four months after the end of the qualifiers for Euro 2024, the France team returns to the football fields. The Blues launch their year with the reception of Germany, in Lyon, on March 23, then that of Chile, in Marseille, three days later. For these two friendly meetings, serving as preparation for the Euro (June 14 to July 14), Didier Deschamps unveils his list, Thursday March 14, at 2 p.m. (to follow live on our site).

If the presence of the headliners is beyond doubt, from Kylian Mbappé to Antoine Griezmann, via Aurélien Tchouameni, franceinfo: sport has identified for you the few gray areas that remain.

Towards a first selection for Bradley Barcola?

Let’s start with what is certain. Each gathering has its share of injured and this March is no exception to the rule. The major absence is that of Kingsley Coman. The Bayern Munich winger, who seemed to have gained the upper hand over Ousmane Dembélé last fall, has been affected by the internal ligament in his left knee since January 27. A place must therefore be taken in the offensive sector.

Injured again, Christopher Nkunku will not take it. Called up last year, Moussa Diaby no longer starts with Aston Villa in the Premier League. The most obvious candidate for the wing is none other than Bradley Barcola. In sight with PSG, where he made his hole in Luis Enrique’s starting lineup, the name of the 21-year-old player, who has never yet been called by Deschamps, has come up a lot since Coman’s injury.

Will Warren Zaire-Emery make his return?

Her first one had been memorable, in a good way and a bad way. The youngest player to wear the colors of the French team since the post-war period (at 17 years, eight months and ten days), Warren Zaire-Emery only needed 16 minutes against Gibraltar to mark his first goal as an international. But at the same time as his shot had hit the target, his opponent’s tackle had forced him to come off injured.

He had not been to Greece and has another opportunity to wear the blue jersey. In November, the absences of Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga opened the door for him. This time, the two Madrilenians are operational. It’s difficult to imagine where the young Parisian “titi” is located in the midfield hierarchy in the mind of Didier Deschamps. But, there is at least one place left alongside the three essential players (Rabiot, Tchouameni, Camavinga), knowing that Adrien Rabiot is injured in his foot and has not played since February 25.

On his latest lists, Didier Deschamps has tended to select five midfielders (in addition to Griezmann). Several hypotheses exist. He may summon Rabiot, keeping the possibility of replacing him if he is not sufficiently recovered from his injury. In any case, Warren Zaire-Emery and Youssouf Fofana, who has not missed a call since September 2022 and who was the best player in the last match in Greece, should not be in competition.

Has Deschamps fixed a hierarchy at the right-back position?

The 2022 World Cup seemed to have settled the question, but the year 2023 has reshuffled the cards. The disgrace of Benjamin Pavard, demoted during the World Cup in favor of Jules Koundé, now seems distant. The former Bayern defender, now wearing the colors of Inter Milan, has returned to his best level, to the point of finally having the right to play in his preferred position, in the axis of defense, facing in Scotland last October. Like a fish to water, he scored a double and left his mark.

Recently returned from an injury which caused him to miss the last rally, Pavard is expected in the 23, but in what position? Will he be one of the two right-backs alongside Koundé? Will he be considered as a central defender especially since Ibrahima Konaté is uncertain? His destiny is closely linked to that of Jonathan Clauss, who returned last fall after a year of ostracism. For the Marseillais to hold his place, Didier Deschamps must not consider the Koundé-Pavard option as the priority pair of right-backs.