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Paris (AFP) – Lens defender Jonathan Clauss and Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku were called up to the France team for the first time on Thursday, ahead of the two friendly matches played by the Blues in March against Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa. South.
The list unveiled by Didier Deschamps also marks the return of Presnel Kimpembe, Raphaël Varane and Paul Pogba, absent in November due to injury, but does not include defenders Léo Dubois and Dayot Upamecano, not called up for the matches played on March 25 and 29. in Marseilles and Lille.
For this first list of the year, the boss of the 2018 world champions cannot count on Ferland Mendy and Thomas Lemar, injured.
Karim Benzema, who was injured on Monday with Real Madrid, is one of the 23 players called up along with his attacking partners Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé.
The Parisian will find a former teammate, Christopher Nkunku, at Clairefontaine on Monday. At 24, the player trained at PSG is called up for the first time, thanks to a thunderous season with RB Leipzig where he piled up 26 goals in all competitions.
“In terms of goals and assists, he has good statistics, his game has evolved, today he is almost central, second striker, in a system with a lot of freedom, being close to the goal. His use will be in this sector there”, commented Deschamps in front of the press.
On the left side of the attack, Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen) retains his place in the group despite the return to the fore with Barça of Ousmane Dembélé, not summoned.
In midfield, the irremovable N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba are accompanied by Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Mattéo Guendouzi.
In defense, Deschamps records the returns of Kimpembe and Varane, absent at the end of last year through injury. Jules Koundé and Lucas Hernandez are also there, but not Kurt Zouma, in turmoil since the broadcast in February of a video where he mistreated his cat.
Central defender Dayot Upamecano, holder in the two matches of the Blues in November, pays for his bad pass with Bayern Munich. He is not on the list, like Lyon defender Léo Dubois, dismissed in favor of Clauss, 29.
Behind the holder Hugo Lloris and his lining Mike Maignan, Deschamps opted for Alphonse Areola as third goalkeeper.
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