For the first time in more than ten years, we are sure not to read the name of newly retired Blues Antoine Griezmann in the list of the France team that Didier Deschamps reveals Thursday for the matches against Israel and Belgium.
After the enormous surprise of the announcement that the legend « Grizi » hung up, his succession begins on Thursday at the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF), where the coach will give his group for the next Nations League matches, on October 10 in Budapest against Israel and on October 14 in Brussels against the Belgium.
“I am convinced that the future is bright and I can’t wait to see the new generation shine”said the “monument of French football” (dixit Deschamps) to the 137 selections (44 goals) in his message announcing his retirement.
« DD » has often said that Griezmann is “essential, not irreplaceable”. “Grizou” is a unique example, he has no equivalent, no other player has his talent and his ability to play in all four corners of the field, defend, attack and change roles as he did brilliantly at the World Cup. 2022, in a more remote position than usual.
But in the young generation mentioned by the ex-vice-captain, a player like Michael Olise, for example, has a card to play with the departure of Griezmann, even if he is more of a side player.
Mbappé restored
Bayern Munich’s French international midfielder Michael Olise during a Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb, September 17, 2024 in Munich / Alexandra BEIER / AFP/Archives
Despite two somewhat dull first selections in September, the player had a thunderous start to the season at Bayern Munich, with five goals and three assists, even if he remained silent at Aston Villa (1-0 defeat) on Wednesday evening in the League champions.
If the coach “takes note” with “a lot of emotion” of the withdrawal of the one who was for a long time his “darling”his pragmatism will push him to test solutions for the succession of his N.7 in October and November. “We have what we need in the squad”the technician already said in March when the Atlético Madrid player interrupted his incredible series of 84 consecutive matches with the Blues due to injury.
Already deprived of his vice-captain, the coach risked also having to compose for this gathering without his captain, but Kylian Mbappé, injured with Real Madrid, “recovered very quickly”explained his coach Carlo Ancelotti. He played the last half hour in Lille, Wednesday in C1, without preventing the defeat of the « Meringues » (1-0).
Compared to September, when several players were injured, Deschamps should recover Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield.
Rabiot played again
He should also recall one of his executives, Adrien Rabiot, who played again with Marseille while he was without a club in September. THE « Duc » is one of the players brought in to fill the void left by Griezmann, not position for position but in leadership.
Adrien Rabiot (L) in the OM jersey, September 29, 2024 during a Ligue 1 match in Strasbourg / Abdesslam MIRDASS / AFP
As he announced last month, the coach will continue his broad squad review, made possible by the lower stakes of the League of Nations, where France has one victory (2-0 against Belgium) and one defeat (3-1 against Italy).
Deschamps should once again spread playing time generously over the two October matches, to see as many players as possible. The real high-stakes matches will begin with qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in March, June or September, depending on whether or not they participate in the Nations League.
It will be necessary to monitor the presence or absence in the list of Benjamin Pavard, absent in September, not even recalled when Wesley Fofana was injured and had to give up in central defense, and to see if the coach recalls Ferland Mendy, who did not Didn’t play a minute at the Euro and withdrew in September.
Griezmann will no longer return to this list.