Eight months before the World Cup in Qatar, we must not let the train of a selection pass. Jonathan Clauss and Christopher Nkunku were able to seize the opportunity to win a first call-up with the Blues during the friendly matches against Côte d’Ivoire (March 25) and South Africa (March 29) . There are several lessons to be learned from this list. We decipher them.
Why Clauss and Nkunku?
This is the beautiful story of this next gathering of the Blues. Only five years ago, Jonathan Clauss signed his first professional contract at the age of 24. In 2020, he played in German D2 at Arminia Bielefeld… The right side of RC Lens will take his first steps at Clairefontaine. Even if he has never participated in a European Cup match, the native of Strasbourg is clearly the best right side in Ligue 1 for 2 seasons.
“He’s a high-performance player who could have been called up before too, says Didier Deschamps. There is a period with two friendly matches. I consider that it was time to see them precisely to have more answers in relation to the final choices that I will have to make in the future. »
VIDEO. France team: “It was the moment to see Clauss and Nkunku”, says Didier Deschamps
In fact, Jonathan Clauss evolves as a right piston in the 3-5-2 of the northern formation, the same as that of the France team. Author this season of four goals and nine assists, he takes advantage in this list of the weakness of Leo Dubois, who remained on several summons, in the Lyon right lane and the desire of the coach to now place Benjamin Pavard in central defense.
« Benjamin (Surname), I now consider him more as an axis player, says Didier Deschamps. In plunger? It’s a solution, he can help out, it’s not where he’s most comfortable. The coach also sees Kingsley Coman as a contender for the right piston position. “Kingsley fills the side role at club. He can play on the left or on the right, he is an offensive player who plays on one side, ”he assures.
The other new kid is called Christopher Nkunku. In November, already, he was expected to join the Blues. But Deschamps had made the choice to wait at the time, while promising to keep an eye on his performance. The former PSG-trained player, whom he left in 2019 to sign for RB Leipzig, set the bar high at the start of 2022. He has 11 goals in 2022. Only the Bavarian “goleador” Robert Lewandowski has did better over the same period (13).
The Parisian has become the boss of RB Leipzig, qualified for the quarter-finals of the Europa League. In 38 games, Nkunku (24) has 26 goals and 12 assists. Like his former Parisian teammate Moussa Diaby, he can make his way in Blue. “His register has evolved a bit, he was more of a side player, he is more central, second striker, in a system where he has a lot of freedom, analyzes Didier Deschamps. He is also closer to the goal. With us, its use will obviously be in this sector. »
Why not Dembele and Giroud?
Ousmane Dembélé has made a very noticeable return to FC Barcelona. Placed in the stands at the start of the year because of his desire not to extend to Catalonia (his contract ends in June 2022), the former Borussia player was reinstated in February. Since then, he has actively participated in the rise of his team in La Liga (3rd). In five games, he compiled one goal and five assists. “Some are in recovery and need to continue. I have 23 boxes. It’s not fixed, there is competition. I’m not going to change everything from one match to another, “justified the coach on the non-selection of the 2018 world champion.
Didier Deschamps preferred for these two friendly matches to give a chance to Nkunku, exceptional with Leipzig this season, and to leave Moussa Diaby on the list, who has given satisfaction since his first cap against Bosnia on September 1. But if Ousmane Dembélé continues the big performances without experiencing injuries in the coming months, he will undoubtedly validate his place at the World Cup.
Arriving at AC Milan in the summer of 2021, Olivier Giroud (35) has had an excellent season with the Rossoneri, scoring 11 goals and three assists in 28 games. But it is difficult to leave the second top scorer in the history of the France team on the bench. His return to Blue is conditioned by multiple injuries on the front of the attack. “Olivier scores important goals, I’m happy for him,” said Deschamps. He remains, as he knows, selectable and available to the France team even if I have not called him on this meeting. »
Why Areola and not Lafont?
The question of the third goalkeeper arises since the announcement of the official status of second goalkeeper at the Blues of the Milanese Mike Maignan behind Hugo Lloris. Steve Mandanda no longer or very little plays with OM and Benoît Costil occupies the last place in L1 with the Girondins de Bordeaux. Former Espoirs goalkeeper Alban Lafont, author of a remarkable season with FC Nantes and an exceptional match against PSG in February, could legitimately hope for a first call with the A. But the coach preferred Alphonse Areola, understudy at West Ham, which only plays cup matches (national and European) with the English team.
“Alban is having a much better season than the previous ones. It’s normal for you to remember a major performance, the one against PSG. Of course we follow him. It is progressing, says Didier Deschamps. Alphonse has more experience with us and has already proven. He maintains his level of performance. It’s part of the discussions we can have with my staff. Which doesn’t mean that Lafont can’t come. It is up to him to maintain what he has been doing with FC Nantes since the start of the season. »