It's the clash of generations in Clairefontaine: summoned to replace the injured Karim Benzema, "the old" Giroud, 35, meets the "benjamin" Saliba, captain of the French Espoirs who joins the big boys for the first time, at 20 years.

Saliba came to complete the list of novices for this first internship of the year 2022, replacing Pavard, in isolation after a positive test for Covid-19 within Bayern Munich.

"The protocol in force in Germany for the recovery of players" affected did not allow the 2018 world champion to go to the Yvelines training center, said the French Federation on Monday morning.

Saliba happy birthday

For Saliba, initially called up to the Espoirs, the story is beautiful: he will celebrate his 21st birthday on Thursday in Marseille, where he is playing, on loan from Arsenal, and where the Blues are going to face Côte d'Ivoire in a friendly on Friday, before to host South Africa in Lille on March 29.

Marseille defender William Saliba clears the ball past Lazio Rome striker Ciro Immobile during their Europa League match on November 4, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome Christophe SIMON AFP / Archives

Expected before 4:00 p.m. in their Yvelines castle, the 23 Blues open their last international week without an official match before the World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for November 21 to December 18.

After removing the Pavard uncertainty, coach Didier Deschamps will have to manage the case of Lucas Digne, who suffered a muscle injury on March 13 with Aston Villa and was absent on Saturday when Arsenal received the Premier League.

Aston Villa's French defender Lucas Digne injured in the Premier League matchday 29 against West Ham on March 13, 2022 at London Stadium Ian Kington AFP/Archives

With a first match scheduled for Friday at the Stade Vélodrome, the left side nevertheless has several days to perk up and will be able to pass his turn without problem during the first training session scheduled at 5.30 p.m., a session traditionally very light after the weekend club matches.

Giroud, author of a decisive pass on Saturday evening with AC Milan, may want to participate to taste the lawns of Clairefontaine, nine months after his last appearance among the Blues.

Clauss among the stars

The striker with 110 caps benefits from the package of Benzema, injured in a calf, and a full season with the Rossoneri.

His future in selection seemed more and more fragile since the Euro, the starting point of a slow downgrading for the former protege of "DD".

Olivier Giroud replaces Karim Benzema, during the round of 16 of the Euro against Switzerland, June 28, 2021 in Bucharest Daniel MIHAILESCU POOL / AFP / Archives

On social networks, the former center forward of Montpellier, Arsenal and Chelsea said he was "happy to be back", before getting back in the saddle to try to break the goalscoring record of Thierry Henry, who lead by six units (51 goals).

Two novices are just as excited about the opening of this international week: Christopher Nkunku and Jonathan Clauss.

The Leipzig striker (24) is rewarded for his masterful season (26 goals in all competitions) while the right side of Lens lives an unexpected first call at 29 years old.

Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku opens the scoring on Hannover's field in the German Cup quarter-final on March 2, 2022 Ronny HARTMANN AFP / Archives

After discovering Ligue 1 late in 2020, the native of Strasbourg finds himself propelled overnight alongside stars Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kanté, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé and Hugo Lloris.

Whoever has never played a single European Cup match has been living a daydream since the announcement of the list: he received an ovation from his audience on Saturday in Lens, waving a huge tricolor under the cheers.

This week, the two-star jersey awaits him.

© 2022 AFP