Probably still under the impression of the defeat by Argentina in the spectacular final of the World Cup, the French national team members gathered for the preparations for the clashes with the Netherlands and Ireland in the qualifiers for the European Championship. Les Bleus will try to overcome the loss of the world crown by winning the continental one, and in order to qualify for the final tournament in Germany in 2024, they will have to be among the first two selections in the competition of Holland, Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar. They should not have a difficult job, but they will have to be well concentrated in order not to suffer the fate of Italy, who didn’t qualify for the World Cup in Qatar despite being the current Europe champions. NEW: Didier Deschamps will name his new captain of the French team this Monday. It’s between Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. @telefoot_TF1 ©️🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/NILj6ZcN1u— Ēñøçk Købiñä Ëssël Sãrkøbìñä (@Sarkobina) March 19, 2023 For the beginning of the qualifiers, coach Didier Deschamps called 23 players, among whom there are three debutants, while Hugo Lloris is missing after many years of service in the national team. The experienced goalkeeper decided after the World Cup to finish with the national team and devote himself only to his duties in Tottenham. But his decision also meant that the coach needs to make not one, but two decisions. Apart from being the goalie, Lloris was the captain of Les Bleus, so Deschamps needs to find another leader in the locker room. He didn’t think long about the replacement on the goal. „The position of number 1 obviously goes to Mike Maignan. Hierarchy is important. But I will also discuss with others. There will be the hierarchy for this gathering but it may also be different for the next one in June. The international experience can be an additional asset for the place of number 2 or 3. It is a criterion. We stay on a specific position“ said Deschamps at the press conference. Well, let him suffer now…The bigger decision is to be made about the captancy role. If Raphael Varane stayed with the squad, he would surely get the ambrand, but he too retired, so the decision will be between Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. But, Deschamps vowed not to hurry, even thou it looks like he’s leaning towards PSG forward.”If he has one quality in addition to all his qualities on the field, it is to be very good and very skilful in communication. I don’t think it’s a problem in this area. I can’t tell you more because I haven’t decided today“ said France coach. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7107967##
