Paris (AFP)

After the failure of the Blues at the Euro, Didier Deschamps chose to summon four new players for the resumption of qualifying for the World-2022, at the beginning of September and to dismiss the experienced Olivier Giroud, a choice "of the moment" which could however mark the end of an era.

Is this the end of a great story for the Blues?

Arrived late in professional football, Giroud moved away at 34 from a France team of which he was the second highest scorer (46 goals), with which he won the 2018 World Cup but of which he was no longer. that a replacement in recent months, barred by the return of Karim Benzema.

The game of musical chairs benefits in particular Anthony Martial, the 25-year-old striker, with 27 caps but deprived of the European Championship because of a knee injury during a trip from the Blues to Kazakhstan in March.

The striker of the France team Anthony Martial, struggling with the Kazakh defender Temirlan Yerlanov, during the group match counting for the qualifications for the 2022 World Cup, on March 28, 2021 in Nour-Soultan FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

"It is a sporting choice of the moment compared to a list of 23 with competition, as there has always been, with also the return of Anthony, injured for the Euro and recovered. It is my choice today. It is up to Olivier to continue to perform well, he is always available ", explained Deschamps from the headquarters of the Federation in Paris.

In the attack line, the "choices" of the coach coupled with the package of Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembélé, opened the doors to Moussa Diaby, the left-handed winger trained in Paris SG and author of a good start to the season with Bayer Leverkussen.

- Without Rabiot or Pavard -

The 22-year-old has a "specific profile, a capacity for very intense volume, technical accuracy because he scores and also scores", summarized Deschamps.

Striker Moussa Diaby with the France Espoirs team, May 31, 2021 Attila KISBENEDEK AFP / Archives

"I still have work to do, I do not want to rush, but when the time is right, if I am given my chance, I will play it thoroughly, with excitement and always the same pride", had anticipated in beginning of the week Diaby in an interview with AFP, presenting the Blues as a "goal".

Like the former Hope, they are three other plotters to have experienced the thrill of a first summons on Thursday.

This is the case of AC Milan left-back Théo Hernandez, brother of world champion Lucas (in the recovery phase and absent from the list), and midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jordan Veretout, respectively players of Monaco and AS Rome.

The latter take advantage of the absence of Adrien Rabiot, injured and Moussa Sissoko, "in a very difficult situation" at Tottenham according to the coach.

Benjamin Pavard, injured, is also out of this list reduced to 23 players, against 26 at the Euro.

French AC Milan defender Theo Fernandez, facing Sampdoria striker Antonio Candreva, during their Serie A match, August 23, 2021 in Genoa MIGUEL MEDINA AFP / Archives

- Determination "intact" for Deschamps -

This quartet can hope to grab a few minutes of play during this hyper-dense back-to-school gathering, marked by three meetings in one week.

The France team welcomes Bosnia on September 1 in Strasbourg, before going to Kiev to challenge Ukraine on the 4 and receiving Finland three days later in Lyon.

Among the players expected Monday at Clairefontaine, are the three usual goalkeepers Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda and Mike Maignan.

The only difference comes from the fact that Mandanda slips, at 36, to third place in the hierarchy, as Deschamps announced Thursday.

In the direction of the returns, on the other hand, the young central defender Dayot Upamecano will have the opportunity to forget his timorous debuts lived in September and October 2020. He returns to the selection after more than a year of waiting and a Euro looked at TV.

At 15 months of the World Cup in Qatar, Deschamps therefore operated a mix between his indestructible executives (Varane, Kanté, Griezmann, Mbappé ...), a few ghosts and four new ones.

After the failure of the Euro, stopped in the round of 16 at the end of June against Switzerland (3-3 ap, 5-4 tab), the 52-year-old technician considered "intact" his desire and his determination to raise new trophies, saying "convinced that there (were) great things to do with this group".

The coach of the France team, Didier Deschamps, during his press conference, on August 26 in Paris, to announce the list of players summoned for the three qualifying matches for the World Cup-2022, bertrand GUAY AFP

The first rally of the year, which the Blues approach at the top of their qualifying group, will in any case be closely scrutinized.

© 2021 AFP