Paris (AFP)

The coach of the France team Didier Deschamps recalled Thursday the midfielder of Juventus Adrien Rabiot, absent from the group for more than two years, while dismissing the world champion Blaise Matuidi, who joined Inter this summer. Miami.

To face Sweden and Croatia, the coach also announced the summons of three players so far never called up: Houssem Aouar (Lyon), Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig) and Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes).

The latter replaces Paul Pogba (Manchester United) at the last minute, tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Unfortunately he carried out a test yesterday (Wednesday) which turned out to be positive this morning, I replaced him with Camavinga," said the technician of the Manchester United midfielder.

Rabiot's summons is a surprise. The player, then at Paris SG, had publicly refused his status as a reservist for the 2018 World Cup.

"He has found a very good level. We cannot go back, I am not someone who likes to take radical positions. He has remained selectable," explained Deschamps.

In addition to the return of Rabiot, whose last selection dates back to March 27, 2018, the midfielder of the Blues is experiencing other upheavals: the world champion Matuidi (33 years old, 84 caps) is not in the list, while the young Aouar (22 years old) and Camavinga (17 years old) make their appearance.

Deschamps also announced the presence of PSG star Kylian Mbappé, who played in the "Final 8" of the Champions League after recovering from a sprained ankle.

The Blues will return to the pitch after a long absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic which notably caused the postponement of Euro-2020 for one year. Their last match dates back to November 17, won in Albania (2-0).

They are expected Monday at their Clairefontaine training center, for a gathering under high health vigilance.

They will play Sölna against Sweden on September 5 before hosting Croatia at Stade de France three days later, for their League of Nations debut.

The list:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham / ENG), Mike Maignan (Lille), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton / ENG), Léo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern / GER), Presnel Kimpembé (Paris SG), Clément Lenglet (FC Barcelona / ESP), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid / ESP), Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig / GER), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid / ESP)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes), N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea / ENG), Steven Nzonzi (Rennes), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus / ITA), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham / ENG)

Forwards: Houssem Aouar (Lyon), Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea / ENG), Antoine Griezmann (FC Barcelona / ESP), Jonathan Ikoné (Lille) n Anthony Martial (Manchester United / ENG), Kylian Mbappé ( Paris SG)

© 2020 AFP