Paris (AFP)

Ferland or Benjamin Mendy? Leo Dubois or Djibril Sidibé? Samuel Umtiti or Presnel Kimpembe? Didier Deschamps will decide a few cases on Thursday by announcing his list to face Moldova (14 in Saint-Denis) and Albania (17 in Tirana) and validate the ticket of the Blues for Euro-2020.

Of the 23 present in October in the win in Iceland (1-0) and the draw against Turkey (1-1), many will be recalled a month later to get the two points that are missing in world champions to compete in the next Euro and finish the year 2019 in style.

But the coach of the Blues will not spare some hesitation on some posts, because of the return of injury of several regulars lists and the absence of one of his executives, Lucas Hernandez.

He will not have to think long to confirm one of his stars, Kylian Mbappé. The Parisian, called then returned to the club at the rally in October because of an injury to a thigh not quite cured, has frightened the counters since his return: he scored at all matches with PSG (seven goals) . Alassane Pléa, his replacement a month ago, will all the more have to wait until he is currently injured.

"Kylian is Kylian, the ability he has, especially because of his speed, there is no equivalent," Deschamps said on exiting France-Turkey.

- Face-to-face defense -

On the other hand, it will be more difficult to vote for a left-back rather than another, to make up for the absence of the indestructible Hernandez. The player from Bayern Munich, operated ankle ten days ago and probably absent until the end of 2019, leaves his position open to competition.

This one seems occupied by Lucas Digne, rather convincing in Iceland. But who to replace the player of Everton? The name of the lucky one is known: Mendy. But the name asks him a question. Rather Madrilenian Ferland, despite his lack of playing time? Or the Benjamin Mancunian, world champion but never called for a year because of injuries? The "logic" of DD, faithful to the "lived" and "experience", but also the playing time, tipped the scales on the side of the Manchester City player.

In lining of Benjamin Pavard on the right side of the defense, however, since the World Cup, Lyonnais Léo Dubois has clearly taken over the former Monégasque Djibril Sidibé. But the latter, recalled last month in the absence of the first, has since managed to eject the captain of his Everton club of the starting lineup. A small feat that will not have escaped the coach.

The debate will be the same as the central defender. Both right handed are known, except surprise - Raphael Varane and Kurt Zouma. On the other hand, they are three left-handers available for two places: Clément Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Presnel Kimpembe. The first became indisputable in a few months, so there will be a match between the other two. If the Barcelona, ​​holder in the World Cup but undermined by the glitches since, was to be forgotten, it would be a strong sign on his downgrading in the hierarchy.

- Mystery in attack -

In the middle, the absence of Paul Pogba, wounded as in September-October, is recorded. N'Golo Kanté, just back from injury but still not back on the lawn, is in principle selectable, which leaves little room for possible upheavals.

It is in attack that the bets are opened, with the return of injury of Ousmane Dembélé, Nabil Fekir and Anthony Martial. Difficult to imagine the three make their reappearance in the 23, but the former Lyonnais, assiduous in Blue and already there in September, has reason to believe it.

In return, are in danger Thomas Lemar and especially Jonathan Ikoné, package with Lille Tuesday in the Champions League after a minor car accident. Finally, despite a still almost no playing time at Chelsea, Olivier Giroud still postulates logically, with his decisive goals in Iceland and in front of Turkey.

Program:

- Thursday, November 14 (8:45 pm): France-Moldova in qualifying for the Euro-2020, at the Stade de France (Saint-Denis)

- Sunday, November 17 (20:45): Albania-France in qualification for the Euro-2020, at the Arena Kombëtare (Tirana)

If the Blues came to qualify for the Euro-2020, for which they miss two points, they will know their opponents group after the draw scheduled on November 30 in Bucharest.

© 2019 AFP