The Euro is already here! This Thursday, at 8 p.m. on TF 1, Didier Deschamps announced the list of internationals selected for the European Championship which will be played in Germany, from June 14 to July 14. Among the surprises, the return of N’Golo Kanté, of course, but also the very first call-up of Parisian Bradley Barcola who appears, as we announced on Tuesday, among the 25 players called up. If he had had the freedom to choose without taking into account the expansion of the lists prescribed by UEFA, the coach would undoubtedly have opted for a list of 23 but he ultimately chose to expand his group, without however retain the largest number (i.e. 26).
For what ? To give yourself more latitude in your choices, first. By calling more than 23 players, Didier Deschamps adapted to the new regulations to give himself more possibilities on the big day. He gave some arguments on this subject in an interview with AFP on May 1. “Adapting is my watchword. I will therefore adapt to the decisions made and other parameters, explained the former Marseillais. I’m not anti 24, 25 or 26 players. We exchanged our views during the UEFA seminar with the other coaches. Those who advocated remaining at 23 put forward admissible arguments like those who wanted a move to 26.”
He therefore opted for an intermediate option, leaving himself the possibility of possibly recalling a 26th element between now and the sending of the final lists on June 7. Before the World Cup in Qatar, he notably added Marcus Thuram after the initial announcement. Nothing says, however, that he repeated the operation this time.
He takes the uncertain without fear
Above all, Didier Deschamps took into account the latest uncertainties. He heated up the phone again, at the start of the week, to be certain that the currently injured players could return in time. The expansion of the lists offers him the possibility of taking Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kingsley Coman without fear. The first, victim of a stress fracture in his left foot, is doubtful for the Champions League final on May 1.
The second returned to the race only a few days ago. The staff will be able to calmly observe their convalescence while having whatever happens, behind them, a slightly more substantial reservoir with the experience of Kanté in the midfield and the surprising Barcola up front, who appears to be a perfect joker given his last performances with PSG.
“DD” could, of course, have taken an additional defender. For a long time, in recent hours, he wondered about the point of taking a 9th element. He ultimately felt he had the necessary equipment with versatile players like Ferland Mendy who can cover both the left and right lane, Eduardo Camavinga who has already proven his reliability as an alternative in the left lane. But, also, Benjamin Pavard and Jules Koundé who have the possibility of evolving in the axis or on the right, even if the first will start axial and the other lateral. The Blues are armed at all levels.
They will meet in Clairefontaine on Wednesday May 29 for the start of preparation and will be joined a little later by the Champions League finalists. Only Madrilenians (Camavinga, Mendy and Tchouaméni) are concerned. Didier Deschamps specified this Thursday evening that they would arrive on June 3.
