Kylian Mbappé Missing from French Squad for Nations League Matches
Kylian Mbappé, the star forward of the French national team, has been left off the roster for the upcoming Nations League matches against Israel and Italy scheduled for November 14 and 17. This marks a continuation of his absence, as he did not participate in the previous gathering due to a left thigh injury. Despite being available for his club, Real Madrid, Mbappé's absence has sparked controversy, particularly in light of an ongoing investigation in Sweden. His absence leaves a significant gap in the squad, especially following the retirement of Antoine Griezmann, which has positioned Mbappé as the team's sole star.
Notable Returns and Surprises in the Squad
Despite Mbappé's absence, Didier Deschamps has welcomed back Adrien Rabiot and N'Golo Kanté into the fold. Rabiot, who had been sidelined due to fitness issues, has regained form with Olympique de Marseille, while Kanté returns from injury. A notable inclusion in the squad is Lucas Chevalier, a 23-year-old goalkeeper from Lille, who has impressed in the Champions League. Chevalier's call-up marks a pivotal moment in his career, as he takes the place of Alphonse Areola, who has recently been relegated to a substitute role at West Ham.
The Complete Squad List and Upcoming Matches
The official list of players called up by Deschamps includes: - Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba. - Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Digne, Wesley Fofana, Théo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano. - Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Mattéo Guendouzi, N'Golo Kanté, Mory Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery. - Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Olisé, Marcus Thuram.
With the matches against Israel and Italy on the horizon, the French team will look to maintain their strong performance in the League of Nations, despite the challenges posed by injuries and player absences.
