PARIS: Three months after their agonizing World Cup final defeat in Doha, France embarked on a new era in which many veterans have retired and Kylian Mbappe has tied the captain’s arm for their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. is given
After that loss on penalties to Argentina in Qatar, it has been tumultuous to say the least.
Off the field, a series of scandals brought down veteran French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet but not before he agreed a deal for coach Didier Deschamps to stay in his job until 2026.
Not everyone in France agreed with the decision to extend the tenure of the coach, who has been in charge since 2012, especially as Zinedine Zidane is seen as an ideal successor.
The biggest name on the pitch is goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who retired from international duty at the age of 36 after more than a decade as captain.
The Tottenham ‘keeper became France’s most capped player during the World Cup and his departure leaves Deschamps in need of a new goalkeeper as well as a new captain.
With long-term back-up goalkeeper, Steve Mendanda also leaving, AC Milan’s Mike Mignon will wear the gloves when France welcome the Netherlands to the Stade de France on Friday in their opening qualifier.
There was never any doubt about that, but there was some doubt about who would be captain, with Antoine Griezmann a contender.
Yet it was impossible to ignore Mbappe, who showed himself to be a leader with his stunning hat-trick in the World Cup final. At 24, the Paris Saint-Germain forward could realistically captain the team for a decade.
“Kylin ticked all the boxes for that extra responsibility. But on the other hand it’s nothing against Antoine who has always been an important player,” Deschamps said this week.
Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time record goalscorer, still stands at 36. But Raphael Varane has retired, as has Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, who was ruled out of the World Cup after succumbing to an injury on the eve of the tournament.
“You can’t replace people who have been there for 10 years, you need time,” admitted Deschamps, who said he expected Manchester United centre-back Varane to quit at the age of 29. Understand the decision.
“The high level of demands can lead to fatigue, whether it’s physical or psychological,” said Deschamps, who himself retired from playing altogether at age 32.
Strength in depth
The luxury for Deschamps is that France’s conveyor belt of talent seems never-ending.
Varane’s retirement opens the door for Chelsea prospect Wesley Fofana to earn a first call-up at 22.
Both he and Arsenal’s Willem Saliba were then injured, but the coach then turned to former Barcelona centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, who is now impressing at Nice.
In midfield, with 2018 World Cup winners Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante still struggling to regain full fitness, Deschamps has given Khephren Thuram a deserved call-up.
The 21-year-old Italian-born son of France legend Lillian Thuram has been rewarded for his impressive form with Nice.
The marauding midfielder is the younger brother of Borussia Moenchengladbach forward Marcus, who is also in the squad.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavonga is likely to play an increasingly important role for his country, and possibly at left-back as the 20-year-old did during the World Cup final.
The same applies to Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randall Kolo Muani, who almost scored a dramatic extra-time winner late in the World Cup final.
No wonder Deschamps, now 54, wanted to stay until the next World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, with that ability at his disposal.
France’s group also includes the Republic of Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar, and with the top two at next year’s European Championships in Germany, qualification is a formality.
But Deschamps, whose side face Ireland in Dublin next Monday, is not the least bit down.
“There is no difference in mistakes at the highest level, but here we have to give our best,” he insisted.
“We need to focus on the goal of our qualification, even in obsession. We must not think that we have already qualified. We need to go back to reality.”
