N’Golo Kante has been surprisingly included in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for this summer’s European Championship.
The midfielder has not played for Les Bleus since June 2022 and, after leaving Chelsea for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, his international career was thought to be over.
Read our other sports stories:
Hummels left out of Germany squad
Manchester United target Frank happy at Brentford
Maguire could be back in the FA Cup final
But having proven his fitness in the Middle East, the 33-year-old was tonight remembered in a shocking way for the tournament in Germany this summer.
Deschamps explained: “I am sure that the French team will be very strong [with him in it].
“He played the whole season even though he is not in the European league as he is in Saudi Arabia. But he has regained his physical strength. And with his knowledge, he will make us stronger.”
Uncapped Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Bradley Barcola is also included, along with 18-year-old teammate Warren Zaïre-Emery.
𝒂𝒂𝒔𝒍𝒂
The list of nos 2️⃣5️⃣ Bleus retenus pour l’Euro 👊#BleuCollectif | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/mjYTKouPRn
– Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) May 16, 2024
Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman got spots despite concerns about their fitness.
There was no place, however, for Jean Clair Todibo, Chelsea defender Axel Disasi or Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.
Deschamps, who has named 25 players so far, one short of the 26 allowed, added: “It seems logical that we are among the favourites. Eight European teams are in the top ten of the FIFA rankings. It shows the level of Euros.”
France, who have not won the Euros since 2000, will face Austria, the Netherlands and Poland in the group stage.
The team in full:
Areola (West Ham), Maignan (Milan), Samba (Lens); Clauss (Marseille), T Hernandez (Milan), Konaté (Liverpool), Koundé (Barcelona), Mendy (Real Madrid), Pavard (Inter), Saliba (Arsenal), Upamecano (Bayern Munich); Camavinga (Real Madrid), Fofana (Monaco), Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Kanté (Al-Ittihad), Rabiot (Juventus), Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Zaïre-Emery (PSG); Barcola (PSG), Coman (Bayern Munich), Dembélé (PSG), Giroud (Milan), Kolo Muani (PSG), Mbappé (PSG), Thuram (Inter)
