“Insufficiently recovered” from an injury, according to the French Football Federation, the stopper of Paris SG will not be able to defend his title of world champion 2018 in Qatar, forced to forfeit as did before him Paul Pogba and N ‘Golo Kante.
Wednesday when announcing his list, the coach Didier Deschamps had taken a risk by checking the name of “Presko”, affected with an Achilles tendon at the end of October and returned only Sunday on the grounds for fifteen minutes.
The 27-year-old central defender “made the decision” to leave his place, with regret: “The latest tests have shown that I will not be able to ensure 200% performance and I do not wish to destabilize the group”, he said. -he writes on social networks.
“He had the honesty to face reality, even if it is very painful for him today. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be eight days away from the first game, we will have battles to fight,” said reacted Deschamps, orphan of a player appreciated internally, leader in the soul and strong of 28 selections.
The left-hander is one of the coach’s loyal followers, who also gave him the armband in June in the absence of Hugo Lloris, substitute, and Raphaël Varane, package.
– Thuram, chef’s surprise –
Kimpembé’s withdrawal opens the door to the French team for Axel Disasi, a 24-year-old AS Monaco central defender, who has never been called up before. And she frees up a starting place in the left axis of a four-man defense for Dayot Upamecano or Ibrahima Konaté, according to information distilled Monday by the coach.
Earlier in the day, Deschamps surprised by summoning a 26th player, striker Marcus Thuram, performing this season with Borussia Mönchengladbach but no longer seen in the tricolor jersey since his fourth selection during the Euro in the summer of 2021.
The 25-year-old son of Lilian Thuram completes a line of attackers with prestigious names, from Karim Benzema to Kylian Mbappé via Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Christopher Nkunku, whom he is hot on the heels of. ranking of scorers in the Bundesliga.
The former Sochaux and Guingamp player has already scored ten goals this season in the German Championship, thirteen in all competitions. His versatility on the left wing or in the axis, where he now evolves, offers one more card to Deschamps before the start in Doha on Wednesday.
The boss of the reigning world champions had called up 25 players when he announced the list on Wednesday, but Fifa allows coaches to bring up to 26 to Qatar, three more than the usual rule.
After the official list is sent on Monday evening, changes will be authorized in the event of injury until the day before the first match, ie November 21 for the Blues, opponents of Australia on the 22nd at the opening of their tournament.
– “Good feelings” for Varane –
The medical staff of the Blues was on deck Monday to examine the bodies, damaged by the infernal pace of the European calendar and the last sores of the weekend.
Particular attention was paid to Jules Koundé, stuck in the Barça infirmary for more than two weeks, and to Karim Benzema since the Real Madrid striker, embarrassed in one thigh, only spent half a time on the pitch since October 19.
“I had a few little pains all over the place, it’s normal with the number of matches there are. I took care of myself, I will be fit and present for the selection, no problem”, said wanted to reassure the very fresh Ballon d’Or, in an interview broadcast on Sunday on Téléfoot.
An individualized program is also in place for Raphaël Varane. The Manchester United defender has not played since his worrying thigh injury on October 22.
“He has good morale and feelings. We’re not going to cut corners either, but he’s supposed to be available for the first game,” Deschamps informed.
