The French national team officially gathered at Clairefontaine this week, but manager Zinedine Zidane faces an increasingly complex roster situation ahead of upcoming matches against Italy on November 12 and Turkey on November 15.
Foot Mercato reported that the squad has been hit by a series of withdrawals, including Pierre Kalulu, who was replaced by Saël Kumbedi, and Marcus Thuram, for whom Eli Kroupi has been called up. Aurélien Tchouameni has also been ruled out.
Kylian Mbappé remains the central figure for the national team, both as captain and as a primary tactical focus for Zidane. With Ousmane Dembélé absent from the current setup, the manager is expected to deploy the Real Madrid forward in a central striking role rather than on the left wing.
This tactical shift comes after an abbreviated attempt to play him in the middle during the September international window, which was cut short by a knee injury sustained during the match against Turkey.
Reports from L’Équipe indicate that the team environment is currently strained, specifically regarding the relationship between Mbappé and Dembélé. The publication noted that a recent attempt by the captain to resolve friction via WhatsApp went unacknowledged by Dembélé, a development that left the striker feeling isolated. This tension follows a September gathering that reportedly left lingering frustration within the dressing room.
During the 2022 World Cup, Mbappé was frequently seen in the company of a close-knit group that included Dembélé, Thuram, Michael Olise, and Rayan Cherki. Current observations suggest that the captain is now more isolated, with the cooling of his relationship with Dembélé—a player noted for his ability to maintain morale among teammates—creating a visible divide.
L’Équipe further detailed instances where the captain’s attempts to engage with staff and teammates were perceived by some as opportunistic, rather than genuine, complicating his efforts to lead a group currently undergoing transition.
The withdrawal of Marcus Thuram, with whom Mbappé shares a close personal bond, removes a key interpersonal bridge within the squad. As the team continues to integrate new players, Mbappé faces the challenge of maintaining his authority as a leader while managing a clivant, or divisive, public and internal perception.
History has shown his capacity to act as a unifying force, most notably during matches in the United States, but his current leadership relies heavily on his ability to perform on the pitch.
France travels to face Italy on November 12, followed by their home fixture against Turkey on November 15.
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