Zinedine Zidane 's first squad list has been released. Appointed manager of the French national team on July 28th , Didier Deschamps ' successor unveiled his 23-man squad for his first four matches in charge of Les Bleus this Friday. After several days of speculation surrounding his initial choices , Zidane immediately opened the door to five new players: Guillaume Restes, Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, Lucas Da Cunha, and Esteban Lepaul.
Five new French players to launch the Zidane era
In goal, Mike Maignan retains his place, alongside Robin Risser and Guillaume Restes. The Toulouse goalkeeper thus makes his debut for the French national team. In defense, Zidane calls up 21-year-old Jérémy Jacquet, now playing for Liverpool , as well as Andy Diouf. Pierre Kalulu, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, and Dayot Upamecano complete the defensive line.
In midfield, Lucas Da Cunha receives his first call-up. The 25-year-old, who has become Como's captain, joins Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, and Warren Zaïre-Emery . Da Cunha was already among the players pre-selected before the official announcement of this first squad list.
Esteban Lepaul rewarded after his outstanding season with Rennes
The main attacking addition is Esteban Lepaul. The Rennes striker, top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 21 goals, has received his first call-up to the French national team at the age of 26. He joins Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé , Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé, and Michael Olise.
Zidane thus retains a large part of the attacking core from recent months while adding a true center-forward. During his presentation as manager, the former Real Madrid coach clearly stated his ambition: "I will give everything to ensure this team continues to win. That's the only thing that motivates me."
Tchouaméni, the Hernandez brothers, Lucas Digne and Marcus Thuram are absent.
This initial list is also notable for several significant absences. Aurélien Tchouaméni has not been selected, nor have Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne, and Marcus Thuram. N'Golo Kanté is also not included in the squad called up by Zidane.
Eduardo Camavinga, however, makes his return. Zidane had already begun to change some of the habits surrounding Les Bleus, notably by deciding to end the traditional media parade of players upon their arrival at Clairefontaine . This first squad list now represents his first concrete sporting decision as head coach of the national team.
Note that Kylian Mbappé will remain the captain of Les Bleus.
Zinedine Zidane's first complete squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Guillaume Restes, Robin Risser.
Defenders: Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Pierre Kalulu, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfield: Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot , Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Esteban Lepaul, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise.
Four matches in eleven days for Zidane's debut
The 23 players must now meet at Clairefontaine before a particularly busy schedule. France will travel to Turkey on September 25, then to Belgium on September 28. Les Bleus will then return to the Stade de France to face Italy on October 2 before hosting Belgium again on October 5. Zinédine Zidane will thus manage four Nations League matches in 11 days to kick off his tenure.
