FULL LIST | Michael Olise and Manu Koné feature in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for Nations League fixtures

France national team boss Didier Deschamps has revealed this Thursday afternoon his squad for Les Bleus’ Nations League September fixtures. As previously reported, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise (22) has been included for the first time in France’s senior setup. The former Crystal Palace striker impressed with France at the Olympics under the tutelage of Thierry Henry, logging two goals and five assists with France winning a silver medal.

Inter Milan versatile centre-back Benjamin Pavard (28), who has been regularly called up by France since 2018, has been left out by Deschamps. The national team boss handed Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana (23) a recall. As a free agent yet to commit to a new club in the wake of the expiry of his Juventus contract, Adrien Rabiot (29) is logically absent, which has prompted Deschamps to hand Mönchengladbach midfielder Manu Koné (23) his first senior call-up.

France will kick off their Nations League campaign with two home games against European powerhouses. Les Bleus will host Italy at Paris’ Parc des Princes on Friday, September 6 before locking horns three days later with Belgium at Lyon’s Parc OL for a rematch of the Euro 2024 Round of 16.

Didier Deschamps France squad to face Italy and Belgium

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Ngolo Kanté (Al-Ittihad), Manu Koné (Mönchengladbach), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval