‘He’s a player with high potential’ – Didier Deschamps discusses his squad selections

Équipe de France coach Didier Deschamps justified his selections for the forthcoming friendlies against Germany and Chile, notably the case of Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola (21). Barcola was expected to be called up given his good form for Luis Enrique’s side recently, but will join Thierry Henry’s under 23 squad as Deschamps has chosen Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby (24). 

“Bradley Barcola is a player we’re tracking. He needs to continue his development and confirm his good form. He’s a player with high potential and will be on Thierry Henry’s list. Moussa will be with us, he has 10 caps. He is playing a bit less for his club, but he has shown some good things and it’s his opportunity to make the most of this international break.”

A player who has had a difficult season to date is Olympique de Marseille’s Jonathan Clauss (31), the right-back coming under fire for his performances over the winter. However, an upturn in form has seen the former RC Lens man earn his place in Deschamps’ squad, with the coach keen to draw a line under the affair: 

“It’s difficult to talk about what went on. Jonathan had some difficult times, I’m not going to call anyone out. The most important thing was to keep in contact with him. Now, things have gotten better, good news for him, his club and the national team. The truth always tells on the pitch and the situation improved, all the better for him.”

Euro 2024 is not the only tournament taking place this summer, with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also on the horizon. Certain players are in line for a call-up for one or both tournaments, raising the question whether it’s possible, or indeed healthy to participate in both:

” It’s not my decision. If Thierry Henry decides to call up a player and the club is an agreement, he’ll be in his team. The common objective of the federation, of Thierry, and of myself is to have the best possible team. Let’s not forget what happened at the last Olympics, with clubs refusing to release their players. French clubs will be sensitive to the situation given that the games will take place in Paris, unlike foreign clubs who will not understand the situation as well. I’m not against Thierry, I’m with him, but my playing past tells me it’s difficult on a psychological and physical level to participate in two tournaments in quick succession. I hope Thierry will have a firm and definitive ” Yes” from the players. By the time we get to Clairefontaine to prepare the Euro, I hope things will be clear. “

PSG’s star youngster Warren Zaire-Emery (17) has been recalled to the squad, with Deschamps impressed by his maturity: 

“He has confirmed with PSG in the last few weeks what he was doing very well before. With his ability to remain in control of events around him, he shows maturity. He has a varied game: he’s a great passer, he’s powerful, he’s aggressive in winning the ball back. It’s no surprise that such a player is a starter for PSG”.

Despite an injury scare, it seems that Adrien Rabiot (28) will be fit to join the squad, with Football Italia reporting that the Juventus midfielder is returning to training after missing the Bianconeri’s last two Serie A fixtures. 

GFFN | Jack McArdle