France have recalled Michael Olise for their upcoming Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium, with star forward Kylian Mbappé missing out due to injury. The 22-year-old English-born midfielder, who earned his first two caps last month in matches against Italy and Belgium, has been included again by head coach Didier Deschamps. Olise’s selection comes in the wake of Antoine Griezmann’s recent retirement from international football, leaving a void in midfield.
Mbappé, who sustained a muscle injury while playing for Real Madrid last month, made a brief 35-minute appearance in their 1-0 Champions League loss to Lille on Wednesday but was deemed unfit for international duty. Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku has also been recalled, marking his return to the national team 15 months after his last appearance in a 1-0 win over Greece.
France currently sits second in Group A2 with three points from two games, trailing group leaders Italy by three points. They will face Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels on October 14 as they look to close the gap in the standings.
What Deschamps said about Mbappe
France coach Deschamps commented on the absence of Mbappe and said, as quoted by ESPN, that he didn’t want to take any risks with the star forward.
“I spoke with Kylian about the situation, which is still uncertain after coming on as a substitute on Wednesday. He has a match on Saturday and there are questions,” Deschamps said in a news conference after the squad announcement.
“He has a problem which is not serious but he needs treatment to recover properly. I am not here to take risks. That is why Kylian is not here.”
France Nations League squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Milan), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
