Rayan Cherki earns first France call-up | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki has been called up to the France squad for the Nations League final four, with Didier Deschamps naming the Lyon star in his latest selection on Wednesday.

There had been talk of Cherki possibly switching to play for Algeria, but that’ll be off the table if he makes his France debut next month.

The 21-year-old has finally caught Deschamps’ eye after an outstanding season with Lyon, where he’s shone despite the club’s struggles - notching up 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions.

He’s not the only new face in the squad either, with Sevilla defender Loïc Badé and AC Milan’s Pierre Kalulu also getting their first senior call-ups.

France will be without William Saliba, who’s out with a hamstring injury, and Jules Koundé, sidelined with a thigh problem, as they prepare to face Spain in the semi-finals on 5 June in Stuttgart.

Les Bleus will then go on to face either Portugal or Germany - in the final, or in the third-place play-off, depending on how things go.