the return of N’Golo Kanté, the confidence placed in Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani… Didier Deschamps explains his choices

The coach has chosen to call up 25 players, instead of the possible 26, to participate in Euro 2024 in Germany. Among them, the world champion N’Golo Kanté, the returning Ferland Mendy and the new Bradley Barcola.

One month and one day before the Blues enter the Euro against Austria, it was time for the call-ups, Thursday May 16, for Didier Deschamps. The coach revealed the list of 25 players who will fly to Germany, although this list can always be modified before being officially sent to UEFA on June 7. Surprise, N’Golo Kanté will make his return with the Blues two years after his last selection, just like Ferland Mendy. Didier Deschamps explained his choices at a press conference.

N’Golo Kanté “has regained all his physical abilities”

The 2018 world champion had not been selected since June 2022. Victim of a long hamstring injury, N’Golo Kanté was unable to play in the World Cup in Qatar, but returned to the list by Didier Deschamps. A surprise return since he has since joined Saudi Arabia and Al-Ittihad, in a less watched and less renowned championship. “I can understand the supporters who have not necessarily followed the journey of N’Golo, who came out of a season where he played very little in 2022-2023. But he is having a full season, with more than 40 matches , certainly not in Europe, but he has regained all his physical abilities Through his experience and his experiences, I am convinced that the French team will be stronger with him.explained the coach on TF1.

By calling him, Didier Deschamps also made a small departure from his habit of not recalling players who could have a less important status than during their last selection. “But ‘NG’, no matter the situation, there is never a problem. Beyond his footballing skills, he is an angel. He has no guarantees [d’être titulaire]. He will have the place he deserves or that I give him. It has a status, it weighs, but with ‘NG’, it’s okay all the time”assured the coach.

Bradley Barcola, as obvious

Increasingly decisive with PSG (three assists and two goals in the last Ligue 1 matches he played), Bradley Barcola is selected for the first time in the French team. “He could have already been there in March, but I thought that perhaps everything came very quickly. Since then, he has done other things, he confirmed”, said Didier Deschamps. The coach also assured that his decision was made before his very good match against Nice on Wednesday, during which he scored a goal and made an assist. “He has this capacity for dazzling, to create differences through dribbling, speed, to score goals too. Over time, he gains in efficiency. He also has good volume and a good capacity to make efforts”detailed Didier Deschamps.

Ferland Mendy would have been selected even without Lucas Hernandez’s injury

The Madrilenian, who has not worn the blue jersey since the fall of 2022, is also making his return. But while observers thought he was compensating Lucas Hernandez’s injury, Didier Deschamps proved them wrong: “If Lucas Hernandez had been there, Ferland Mendy would have been there too because I consider Lucas to be more of a central defender”. Recently crowned champion of Spain with Real Madrid, his more defensive repositioning this season was appreciated by the coach. “He’s had quite a few injuries, but he’s evolved in his game, which was mainly focused offensively. And by having Rodrygo, Bellingham and Vinicius in front of him, he overtakes them a lot less and he’s gained in defensive qualities. He’s capable also to be able to project himself, so he is in his place because of what he achieves with his club”justified Didier Deschamps.

Randal Kolo Muani still has the confidence of Didier Deschamps

He is in more difficulty in his club, but is still called up with the Blues. Randal Kolo Muani, author of nine goals in 39 matches with Paris and rarely started by Luis Enrique, retains the confidence of Didier Deschamps, who does not forget that he scored a goal and delivered an assist against Chile in March . “On playing time, I think everyone has their own analysis. You may be harsh, he is not doing everything well, he is not in a climate of great confidence, by his transfer too, but he does not We must not forget where he comes from. He was already in this situation in March, which did not prevent him from having a very good match.explained “DD” while comparing him to Olivier Giroud, selected for a long time when he no longer had much playing time at Chelsea.

Injured people who should be put back on their feet

Didier Deschamps chose to only call 25 players when he had the possibility of calling 26, despite the injuries of Mike Maignan (adductor), Aurélien Tchouaméni (stress fracture of the left foot) and Kingsley Coman (adductor). “If they are there, it is because I consider that they will all be available for the first match, he assured on TF1, before elaborating at a press conference. I’m not going to go into too much detail, there is a reservation regarding the medical aspect, but Mike has resumed specific training sessions. For Aurélien, there is a healing phase, he will be with his club for the Champions League final and will join us afterwards. And Kingsley is in the rehabilitation phase. If all goes well, he will be with us at the start of the course.” Players from a pre-list are still ready to replace possible injured players, but with this group of 25 players, and depending on their versatility, Didier Deschamps claims to have made sure to have “three options at each position “.