France boss Didier Deschamps could field an XI of only Premier League players at the Qatar World Cup. Les Bleus fly to the Middle East for the 2022 edition bidding to defend the title.
Four English top-flight players helped France achieve global glory in Russia four years ago. But Deschamps will be without one of those who started the final with Croatia, as Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is out for four months after needing surgery on a hamstring injury.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is likely now the only returning Premier League member of France’s World Cup-winning XI. Paul Pogba and Olivier Giroud also beat Croatia in Moscow but they now ply their trade in Serie A with Juventus and AC Milan respectively.
But while Pogba and Giroud left the Premier League after winning the World Cup in 2018, Raphael Varane arrived from La Liga. Manchester United bought the centre-back from Real Madrid for £41m in August 2021. The 87-cap enforcer also started the final against Croatia.
Varane will now count toward the Premier League contingent in Deschamps’ side in Qatar. The Bleus boss has frequently called up players competing in England for his recent teams. Deschamps could also name the France XI for the World Cup from just the Premier League.
Hugo Lloris (GK): Tottenham star is France’s captain ahead of the World Cup
Lloris guarded the net as France won the 2018 World Cup and he will again be a key player from the Premier League in Qatar. The Tottenham shot-stopper is Deschamps’ captain and has had the armband since 2011. At 35, the 2022 World Cup is likely the 139-cap star’s last.
William Saliba (CB): Deschamps gave the Arsenal star his France debut in March
Deschamps gave William Saliba his senior France debut in March while impressing on loan to Marseille. He has since retained the 21-year-old in line with his superb form at Arsenal. The composed centre-back has rarely put a foot wrong since he returned to north London.
Ibrahima Konate (CB): Liverpool set to welcome French defender back from injury
Jurgen Klopp expects Liverpool will welcome Ibrahima Konate back from a muscle injury in the coming week. The 23-year-old has only played in one Premier League fixture so far this season due to an earlier knee injury. So, Konate could yet make his case for the World Cup.
Raphael Varane (CB): Manchester United ace will eye his second World Cup
Varane will eye his second World Cup title in Qatar and will also hope to make successive teams of the tournament. The Manchester United enforcer was sublime as France won the lot at Russia 2018. He was integral to keeping Les Bleus’ unit tight and often impenetrable.
Deschamps has an array of Premier League players to choose from when naming France’s centre-backs for the World Cup. He could also pick Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop, Clement Lenglet or Loic Bade. But £75m Chelsea ace Wesley Fofana will miss Qatar 2022 with a knee injury.
Michael Olise (RM): Deschamps should consider the Crystal Palace star’s debut
Deschamps should consider giving Michael Olise his France debut at the World Cup due to his creativity as a Premier League player. The London-born 20-year-old has already played U18 and 21 football for Les Bleus. But the dynamic livewire is still awaiting his senior bow.
Boubacar Kamara (CM): Aston Villa star is likely to miss the Qatar World Cup
Boubacar Kamara is likely to miss the World Cup in Qatar as the Aston Villa midfielder bids to recover from a knee injury. L’Equipe reports the 22-year-old is unlikely to begin training again until the middle of November. It is likely to be too late to make Deschamps’s squad.
Deschamps gave Kamara his senior France debut in June and again included the Marseille product in September. But after he joined their camp to replace Adrien Rabiot, Kamara – who had shone at Villa Park – had to withdraw before a ball was kicked due to his injury.
N’Golo Kante (CM): Chelsea ace cannot defend France’s 2018 World Cup title
Kante will not be able to help France defend the World Cup title he won after the Chelsea star underwent surgery. The 53-cap international started all seven of Les Bleus’ matches in Russia in 2018. He has also remained a vital part of Deschamps’ squads in the years since.
Deschamps can still name a full France XI from only Premier League players if Kamara joins Kante in missing the World Cup through injury. Les Bleus could select central midfielders in the English top-flight through Boubakary Soumare, Ibrahima Diallo and/or Morgan Sanson.
Lucas Digne (LM): Aston Villa star is in a race against time to make Qatar 2022
Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne is in a race against time to make France’s plane to Qatar for the World Cup. The left-back is recovering from an ankle injury after suffering a stress fracture during training with Les Bleus in September. He may return by the end of October.
Allan Saint-Maximin (CAM): Newcastle are being careful with his return from injury
Newcastle United are being careful in recalling Allan Saint-Maximin to their XI after the 25-year-old suffered a slight hamstring injury. It is the third time that the forward has suffered an issue with the same hamstring. He is a big miss for the Toon as their talisman in the attack.
Anthony Martial (ST): Manchester United ace must be desperate to be recalled
Anthony Martial must be desperate to be recalled to the France fold as Deschamps has not included the Manchester United forward since October 2021. The 26-year-old also watched watch from home as Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia after making their reserve list.
Neal Maupay (ST): Striker is showing what he can offer with Everton
Neal Maupay is showing Deschamps what he can give France as a Premier League player at the World Cup since joining Everton in August. The £15m former Brighton & Hove Albion forward is a combative presence upfront able to lead the line alone without much support.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
