FULL LIST | Christopher Nkunku returns in Didier Deschamps’ France squad, Kylian Mbappé absent | OneFootball

France national team boss Didier Deschamps has revealed this Thursday afternoon his squad for Les Bleus’ Nations League October fixtures. Following the announcement of long-serving attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement, the France boss has recalled Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku. The former RB Leipzig player is back in the France set-up for the first time in more than a year. Nkunku is yet to open his international account for France.

The PSG youth product is not the only Chelsea player to feature in Deschamps’ squad. Centre-back Wesley Fofana is back as well after missing out on the last international break with Sevilla’s Loïc Badé called up in his absence. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté and Arsenal’s William Saliba are logically in as well. After impressing against Belgium last time around, Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne has earned a recall, which means Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy may have lost his place as Théo Hernandez’s understudy.

Despite making his return for Real Madrid on Wednesday on the back of a femoral biceps injury, France captain Kylian Mbappé is out of the squad to allow him a full recovery.

After losing to Italy and winning against Belgium last month, France will continue their Nations League campaign in the A2 group with two away games. Les Bleus will travel to Budapest to face Israel on October 10 before locking horns, four days later, with Belgium at Brussels’ Stade Roi Baudouin.

Didier Deschamps France squad to face Israel and Belgium

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

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), Manu Koné (Mönchengladbach), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval