Euro 2024: the return of N’Golo Kanté, the confidence placed in Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani… Didier Deschamps explains his choices
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.
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.
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.
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.
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