A year he was waiting to return in the blue jersey. Defender Benjamin Mendy was recalled to the French team to finish the Euro-2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Albania in mid-November, announced Thursday (November 7th) coach Didier Deschamps, who also recalled Léo Dubois and Nabil Fekir but not Samuel Umtiti nor Jonathan Ikoné.

In the absence of Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and Lucas Hernandez, injured, the technician delivered a list without surprise, including the expected return of Kylian Mbappé, a package at the last rally, and the presence of N'Golo Kanté, back from injury.

It was therefore necessary to choose a new left side, to remedy Hernandez's package. Behind the usual Lucas Digne lining, Benjamin Mendy was preferred to his homonym Ferland.

I missed you so much ❤️😍🇫🇷 https://t.co/iV0jwHGq80

Benjamin Mendy (@ benmendy23) November 7, 2019

Back from injury in Manchester City, and having more playing time than his compatriot of Real Madrid, Benjamin Mendy will find Monday the castle of Clairefontaine, where he has not been housed since November 2018.

The world champion had not played at this rally. Worse, he had to withdraw in the middle of it for a knee injury. It is this same articulation that has cost him a long absence in recent months.

On the other flank of the defense, Lyonnais Dubois, injured in October, returns as lining Benjamin Pavard, to the detriment of Djibril Sidibe.

Giroud again called

Presnel Kimpembe is also preferred in the axis to Samuel Umtiti, just back in the group of Barcelona, ​​to support Clément Lenglet on the position of center left defender.

Only change in the offensive animation compared to October, the return of Nabil Fekir, injured a month ago but performing with the Betis Sevilla and recalled Thursday at the expense of the latest addition to the group France, Lille Jonathan Ikoné.

In attack, Mbappé, perfectly recovered for several weeks from an injury to a thigh, had no doubt about his summons. Olivier Giroud, lacking playing time at Chelsea, could have but his goals in October against Iceland and Turkey were enough to remind Deschamps.

The Blues will qualify for the Euro-2020 in case of victory Thursday against Moldova. They could be even before kick-off, if Iceland does not beat Turkey a few minutes earlier.

With AFP