Olivier Giroud
Coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced France’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with four new players and no room for veteran striker Olivier Giroud.
Giroud is the France team’s second-highest scorer with 46 goals, but the 34-year-old AC Milan forward lost his place in the European Championship to Karim Benzema.
Giroud has played 110 matches for France and has been on every team since first called up in November 2011.
He said, ‘I have never taken a drastic decision with any player. Given the current form it is just a sporting option,” Deschamps said. “Obviously there is a lot of competition for places. It is up to Olivier to continue playing well.”
Deschamps expects Giroud’s move to Milan to offset last season’s loss with Chelsea, where Giroud hardly played in the months leading up to Euro 2020.
“His position has changed with his transfer to Milan, where he will play a lot more,” Deschamps said.
The four uncapped players are Bayer Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby, Monaco midfielder Aurelian Tchoumeni, AC Milan left back Theo Hernandez and Roma midfielder Jordan Vertout.
Hernandez has impressed with his attacking skills, scoring 15 goals in the past two seasons. Veretout scored 10 league goals in Serie A last season and started the campaign with two goals in his first game last weekend.
Deschamps also remembered Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, who missed Euro 2020 after suffering a left knee injury.
France hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina in Strasbourg on 1 September and travels to play Ukraine in Kiev three days later before hosting Finland in Lyon on 7 September. France lead Group D with seven points from three matches.
But 2018 World Cup winners France fell short of expectations at Euro 2020, losing on penalties to Switzerland in the round of 16 games.
“The most important thing is what’s next,” Deschamps said. “The one who is behind is in the rearview mirror. It won’t help us move forward.”
Shaft:
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Megan (AC Milan), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Protector: Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Jules Conde (Sevilla), Dayat Upmecano (Bayern Munich), Rafael Varane (Manchester United), Kurt Zouma (West Ham)
Midfielder: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Aurelian Tchoumeni (Monaco), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), Jordan Verrett (AS Roma)
ahead: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kingsley Koman (Bayern Munich), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
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