Deschamps list: Olise and Koné called up, discover the players for the Nations League!

The French football team is making its big comeback in September & on the occasion of the League of Nations.

After a long three-month break following the end of the Euro and a summer punctuated in particular by a brilliant Paris 2024 Olympic Games for the French U21 team, in silver after its defeat against Spain in the semi-final, Didier Deschamps' French team is making its return to the competition with the new season of the League of Nations. The vice-world champions will face Italy on September 6 at the Parc des Princes, then Belgium, their opponent in the last 16 of the last Euro, on September 9 in Lyon. The Blues will have to finish one of the first two places in Group 2, which also includes Israel, to play in the quarter-finals (first leg on March 20, 2025, return leg on March 25, 2025).

The list

• Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba and Alphonse Areola
• Defenders: William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, Théo Hernandez, Ferland Mendy, Ferland Mendy, Wesley Fofana.
• Backgrounds: Youssouf Fofana, N'Golo Kanté, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Manu Koné.
• Attackers: Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram, Kylian Mbapp, Michael Olise, Ousmane Demb, Bradley Barcola, Antoine Griezmann.

Latest updates

15:55 – Deschamps not worried about Mbappé

“I spoke with Kylian. There is always this problem of calendar, &c;it is not getting better. The season is going to be very long, the coaches in clubs are obliged to manage the players. He has only played 3 matches, it is a new club, he has scored… There are automatisms to find, &c;it does not happen with the snap of the fingers. There is a higher requirement there, he knows why, it is his choice. He has everything for çit to go very well" launched the selector.

15:05 – On the choice Manu Koné

“We have been following him for a while, before he was with Titi (Henry). He has a capacity in volume, aggressiveness, use of the ball, ¸he is one of the players who will be led to change clubs by Friday" explained Didier Deschamps.

14:43 – Pavard absent: “Nothing definitive”

“There is nothing definitive, radical, I will be led through the gatherings until the end of 2024 to be able to change, to oxygenate a little. It will all depend on each player, he has a performance with his club, it is true that there is competition too."

14:23 – "Logical" for Olise

“Michael has done some great things with Thierry Henry's selection. He is an important element for the Espoirs. He has proven himself on the pitch, so it is logical that he comes with us. He has a broad background,” Deschamps said at a press conference.

14:17 – Absentees

Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman and Adrien Rabiot are not on this new list from Didier Deschamps. Strong choices for the first two, more complicated for Rabiot who is without a club. “Adrien doesn't have a club. He still has time, a little bit, not much… The sooner the better, he is not active, he has requests, I spoke with him. I hope that by the next gathering he will have a place to fall back on. Benjamin, Kingsley is punctual, I don't have any radical positions. We find ourselves with quite a few midfielders absent with Adri, Cama, Khephren (Thuram) who is injured.”

Here is Deschamps' list for the first matches of the Nations League:

• Goalkeepers: Alphonse Aréola, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
• Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Ferland Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Wesley Fofana
• Milieus: Youssouf Fofana, N'Golo Kanté, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Manu Koné.
• Attackers: Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Antoine Griezmann.

13:35 – The list in a few minutes

Didier Deschamps is expected at 2 p.m. at the headquarters of the Federation to unveil his list, followed by a short press conference where the coach will explain his choices.

13:00 – Pavard ésideré ?

Benjamin Pavard, a starter with Inter, did not play only one minute during the Euro and could leave his place in the French team group. Axel Disasi, back from injury, is announced to take his place while Saliba, Upamecano and Konatá are indisputable.

12:21 – Malo Gusto on the side ?

Former OL defender and current Chelsea player Malo Gusto should be called up by Didier Deschamps on the right side. Jonathan Clauss might not be called up by the coach of the Blues.

11:50 – Nkunku still just ?

Back in the competition and a scorer, Christopher Nkunku has a profile that appeals to Didier Deschamps because he can play anywhere. However, the Chelsea striker could be considered too short.

11:00 – Olise called up ?

It's almost certain. Barring any last-minute setbacks, Michael Olise will be called up to the French team for the first time. The Bayern striker impressed everyone during the Olympics and should be rewarded.

10:20 – Deschamps' latest list

For the Euro, Didier Deschamps had placed his trust in these players. Overall, the list should not include any major changes, but some players will obviously be absent, such as Olivier Giroud.

• Goalkeepers: Aráola, Maignan, Samba
• Defenders: Koundá, Clauss, Pavard, Konatá, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez, F. Mendy
• Midfielders: Camavinga, Fofana, Rabiot, Zaáiuml;re-Emery, Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Kanté
• Forwards: Dembélé, Giroud, Kolo Muani, Mbappé, Thuram, Coman, Barcola

09:35 – What are the next matches of the Blues ?

After a long three-month break, Didier Deschamps' French team will make its big comeback at the competition with the new season of the League of Nations. The vice-world champions will face Italy on September 6 at the Parc des Princes, then Belgium, their opponent in the last 16 of the last Euro, on September 9 in Lyon. Les Bleus will have to finish in one of the first two places in Group 2, which also includes Israel, to play in the quarter-finals (first leg on March 20, 2025, return leg on March 25, 2025).