Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana is handed his first France call-up by Didier Deschamps

Wesley Fofana has received his first call-up to the French senior team from Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps has announced his first squad since the World Cup for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland. He has handed out opening call-ups to Brice Samba, Khephren Thuram and Fofana.

The France head coach has stuck to the same backbone that led his team to the World Cup final in Qatar, with Eduardo Camavinga, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate and Jules Kounde retained in defence.

Since Hugo Lloris retired from international football after the World Cup, Mike Maignan, who was injured for the World Cup, is expected to succeed him as the country’s first choice.

Deprived of options in midfield with the likes of Paul Pogba lacking minutes and playing time for his club, Deschamps will once again rely on the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, who were brilliant in the winter, for control of the ball. midfield.

Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram also received a debut call-up from Didier Deschamps

Deschamps has announced his squad for this month’s qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland

Youssouf Fofana is another option in the middle of the park that Deschamps can turn to, although he stressed that Camavinga will specifically be considered a left-back for this particular camp.

“For this window, Camavinga will be considered a left back,” Deschamps said. He is versatile but he gives me more guarantees in this position.

‘You won’t be surprised, we’ve talked about it several times together.’

If there are concerns about defensive and midfield options, Deschamps faces no such concerns up front.

Olivier Giroud, the 36-year-old AC Milan striker and the country’s top scorer, is in, as is Kylian Mbappe, who will be looking to shake off the disappointment of another early Champions League exit with Paris Saint-Germain.

Kingsley Coman, whose goal was decisive in paving the way for Bayern Munich against the French giants, will once again assume his key role in the squad.

Deschamps hugs Antoine Griezmann after France beat Morocco in the semi-final

Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann have received call-ups from Deschamps, reprising their roles as the coach’s able lieutenants.

Kylian Mbappe will bring the x-factor to Team France as they look to put the disappointment of PSG’s Champions League exit behind them.

Antoine Griezmann, who has lived through a somewhat difficult campaign with Atlético de Madrid, could resume his role as a midfielder, which he played brilliantly in Qatar.

While Randal Kolo Muani, who was called up late to the squad for the winter World Cup but shot himself with global praise and is the subject of reported interest from Manchester United and PSG, also received a call.

Muani, like the rest of the team, will be looking to put the disappointment of December’s agonizing penalty shootout against Argentina behind him.

They will face the Netherlands next Friday, before taking on Ireland the following Monday in Dublin.

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) ) )

Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (OM), Khéphren Thuram (Nice).

Forward: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Monchengladbach), Moussa Diaby (Leverkusen).