In front of a particularly attentive assembly, this Monday afternoon at a press conference in Clairefontaine, Didier Deschamps returned to his last choices for the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18). From the summons of Marcus Thuram to Axel Disasi, through the identity of the players who will compete for the places of left axial and left side, the coach of the Blues has not done in the language of wood.
Why did you wait until Monday morning to summon a 26th player, Marcus Thuram?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. It’s true that I made a first list of 25, even if I also told you that I had a deadline to respect, today at 7 p.m., to lock the list. In my mind I knew I was going to take a 26th but I would prefer to have a step back from all the games that remained to be played behind. I wanted to have the clearest photograph possible before this player joined us. From the moment when last night (Sunday) I had a photograph that was clear, I took the player I had in mind from last Wednesday to be the 26th. He was announced today, but it’s not in relation to Karim (Benzema) or another striker for whom there might be concern. It’s a question of balance in the list in relation to offensive and defensive players.
How is Presnel Kimpembe’s withdrawal explained and why did you opt for Axel Disasi, a right-hander whom you had never called up, to replace him?
Everything has been done to allow him to be available, but then there is the reality… That of Wednesday is not that of today. Thank you for reminding me of the 15 minutes he played on Sunday (with PSG), but there is also his physical situation and his feelings. Presnel was very honest. He had to face reality, because tomorrow we are already eight days away from the first game. We will have battles to fight and unfortunately “Kimp” does not have all the elements to be ready to face what awaits us. It’s true that I hadn’t called Axel Disasi yet. In a three-man defense, I would have favored a left-hander, but two is different. For me it is right axial. I have right-handers who play on the left. He completes the group of 26 and is traveling to join us during the day.
Why not have called Benoît Badiashile who had given satisfaction on the last rally?
Compared to Benoit Badiashile, he did some interesting things with us, taking into account that these were his first selections (Editor’s note: in September). But it was in a three-man defense… We’re talking about two young players, Benoît is still in the Espoirs selection, he’s a little younger than Axel, who has shown good things for several weeks or even months with his club. He could have been there before. He’s a player we’ve been following for quite some time.
How will you use Lucas Hernandez: central or left?
He is a left side first. Obviously he can play central defender, but I consider him a left-back.
Who is applying as a left axial?
The two options that I have and who are more used to playing on the left when being right-handed are Konaté and Upamecano.
Can you give us some information on Raphaël Varane’s recovery and will he be able to start against Australia on Tuesday November 22?
He is in his protocol, he accentuated everything related to athletic work, he touched the ball and will touch it again today. He still has steps to go between this Monday, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. He’s fine, he’s in good spirits, he’s feeling good. We’re not going to cut corners either, but he’s supposed to be available for the first game.
Do you still have doubts about the state of form of some of your players?
No I have no doubts. Afterwards, in terms of guarantees, certainties… Even for those who are operational today, there will still be training, sessions, but I repeat, the 26 who are there are supposed to be able to compete in the first match. To start it, on the other hand, not because there will only be eleven holders.
What are you going to do with this short preparation?
There are not any ! A week is not preparation. Many players were still involved in matches yesterday (Sunday). Today’s and tomorrow’s sessions will be used for recovery above all. We travel (to Qatar) on Wednesday, then we will have a more classic short week from Thursday to prepare for the match against Australia, even if the players will do different sessions like today. We will do what is necessary so that on Thursday everyone can be on the collective session.