France will rely on proven quality at the Euros. However, the nomination is missing a Premier League star

The start of the Euros in Germany is fast approaching. Naturally, France will not be absent, as they would like to make a name for themselves at the European Championships after their two successes at the World Cup. Thebiggest surprise in the nomination is the experienced midfielder N’Golo Kanté.

France have 25 players in the preliminary squad. Among them are three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and seven strikers. Coach Didier Deschamps has left one more spot open in the nomination.

Team roster

The first choice among the goalkeepers should be AC Milan’s Mike Miignan. He is currently suffering from health problems, but should be ready for the EURO. He will be backed up by Alphonse Areola and Brice Samba.

A huge question mark hangs over the stoppers. Will William Saliba, who has been fantastic at Arsenal, be the mainstay of the defence? However, he doesn’t get many opportunities in the national team, which can also be said of Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate. Together they could form an impenetrable pair.

Also in the nomination are Jonathan Clauss, Theo Hernández, Jules Koundé, Ferland Mendy, Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano. The World Cup finalist from Qatar has plenty to choose from.

The biggest surprise is in the midfield. This is the return of N’Golo Kanté to the national team. He has played in 28 games in Saudi Arabia’s top competition, scoring two goals and assisting five more for his teammates.

Fifty-five-year-old Didier Deschamps also nominated Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaïre-Emery. The latter has only made two national team starts, but his nomination is not surprising given his performances for PSG.

France have a huge strength in attack. Kylian Mbappé, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Démbélé or Olivier Giroud are a huge threat to any defence. They can be complemented by Bradley Barcola, Randal Kolo Muani or Marcus Thuram.

The absence of Olise

The biggest disappointment for fans is the absence of twenty-two-year-old Michael Olise. He is having a fantastic season at Crystal Palace, having notched ten goals and five assists in eighteen Premier League games.

France will play in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Austria and Poland. The Western European side should look to advance from first place and secure a more favourable position for the eighth round.

France have triumphed twice at the European Championships so far, but the last time was in 2000 when the EURO was held in Belgium and the Netherlands. After two successes at the World Cup, France are planning to break through in the western part of the Eurasian continent.

Source: French national football team, X – 433