Paris (AFP)

After more than a year in the harbor, the "shark" Benjamin Mendy will plunge with the team of France alongside Léo Dubois and Nabil Fekir, also selected Thursday by Didier Deschamps to complete the qualifications for the Euro-2020 against the Moldova and Albania mid-November.

On the other hand, central defender Samuel Umtiti and Lille striker Jonathan Ikoné are not included in this last list of the year.

Faced with the absence of Lucas Hernandez (ankle) - in addition to those of Paul Pogba (ankle) in the middle and captain Hugo Lloris (recently operated from the elbow) in goals -, the coach of the 2018 world champions has chose to recall "BenJ" Mendy, the sacred left-back in Russia.

The call resembles a small resurrection for the Manchester City defender, recruited in 2017 for 58 million euros but long locked in a galley tunnel: injured right knee before the World Cup, operated from the left four months later, the player 25 years has remained on the ground.

"I miss the French team," said the former Le Havre, Marseille and Monaco player after his match against Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday in the Champions League. "I'm working hard to get back in. Now the choices are the coach's choices, but in any case, I'm ready to go!"

Deschamps, who launched it in the big international bath in March 2017, gave him the opportunity to unlock his selection counter, remained nine since his last appearance against the Netherlands in September 2018 at the Stade de France.

- Fragile knees -

On several occasions in recent months, the coach has not failed to launch a few arrows to the chief ambianceur of the "SharkTeam", the nickname that Mendy gave to its partners City.

"It's up to him to do everything to come back, it takes a lot of work before, after, he does it, he could certainly do it better," he said in March.

The international return of Mendy, as probable doubling Lucas Digne, repels that of his namesake, Ferland Mendy (24 years, 4 caps), lack of playing time at Real Madrid and more seen in selection since June.

Stunned by Turkey (1-1) on October 14 in Saint-Denis, the Blues record for the last rally of the year the return of their offensive diamond Kylian Mbappé, recovered from an injury to a thigh, and that of N 'Golo Kanté, recently released from the infirmary but who has not resumed competition with Chelsea.

Worshiped also in London, but by choice of the coach, Olivier Giroud remains in the group that will face Moldova on 14 November at the Stade de France and Albania 17 in Tirana.

Even if "his situation has not changed in his favor" in Chelsea since last month, "Olivier is an important player for us, he proves it in the field," explained Deschamps.

- Reduced suspense -

At his side in attack, include the irremovable Antoine Griezmann and Wissam Ben Yedder, fit with Monaco. Performing with Betis Sevilla, Nabil Fekir is back in selection, unlike Ousmane Dembele and Anthony Martial who will have to wait.

In central defense, Deschamps has renewed his doublet composed of Raphael Varane and Clement Lenglet. Their replacements are called Kurt Zouma and Presnel Kimpembe. Umtiti passes his turn which, for the player of FC Barcelona undermined by the physical glitches, is a strong sign on his declassification in the hierarchy.

In the lineup of Benjamin Pavard on the right, Lyonnais Dubois wins at the expense of former Monégasque Djibril Sidibé, recalled last month in the absence of the first, and who lives again in Everton.

The list of goalkeepers remains the same as in October, with Steve Mandanda leading in front of Alphonse Areola and Mike Maignan.

The Blues, on the brink of qualification, should not have too cold sweats respectively facing the 175th and 65th world nations. And if Iceland does not beat Turkey, a few minutes before France-Moldova, Deschamps will be qualified for the Euro even before the kickoff.

© 2019 AFP