France’s national football coach Didier Deschamps has selected goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Colombia, despite Chevalier not having played since January.
The matches are scheduled for March 26 and March 29 in Foxborough and Landover, respectively.
Chevalier, who lost his starting position to Matvey Safonov, was announced in a 26-player roster revealed by Deschamps on Thursday, reflecting the coach’s confidence in the young goalkeeper’s potential.
Injury Impacts Squad Selection
Deschamps also included forward Randal Kolo Muani in the squad following the injury of Bradley Barcola, who sustained a right ankle sprain during a Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain. Kolo Muani, currently on loan at Tottenham, recently scored in a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
World Cup Considerations
The coach emphasized that many players selected for the friendlies have a strong chance of making the final squad for the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada this June. Deschamps remarked, “Many of those who are here today will still be there. It’s still too early to draw any hasty conclusions, but we’ll stick to this approach, knowing from experience that a lot can happen over the next two months.”
Full Squad Announcement
The complete list of players selected includes goalkeepers Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), and Brice Samba (Rennes). The defensive lineup features Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Théo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
In midfield, the team comprises Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahce), Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), and Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG). The forward lineup includes Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Ryan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool), Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), and Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).