New Delhi: French veteran and former Chelsea superstar, N’Golo Kante makes a return to the international scene after a long hiatus ahead of the Euro 2024 which is scheduled to take place in Germany. Kante who last was remembered for his jaw-dropping performance for premier league side, Chelsea FC now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman has played a pivotal role in his side’s success in the Champions League finals, FIFA World Cup 2018 and Nations League 2021.
Kante’s immense experience and match-winning ability have been applauded by the present head coach of France, Didier Deschamps. “He played a full season (Kante struggled with injury during his time with Chelsea), albeit not in a European league, as he is in Saudi Arabia.” Deschamps further added, “He’s back to full fitness. With his experience, I’m convinced that the French team will be stronger with N’Golo Kante.”
Kante quand il va entendre « Ngolo Ngolo » a clairefontaine pic.twitter.com/7INWO3PH9j
— Bobby (@Djo_Divry) May 16, 2024
A superior mid-field for Les Bleus with Kante’s inclusion…..
France is perhaps the only team apart from England who are pre-tournament favourites. The French team has astute and powerful players in all departments. Les Bleus boast of a remarkable forward trio of Kolo Muani, Mbappe and Dembele which is strengthened with the presence of an experienced Oliver Giroud.
In the defence, France has the presence of astute defenders like Ibrahim Konate and William Saliba who will form the core. This defensive solidarity will be accentuated by the presence of pacey wingers in the form of Pavard and Theo Hernandez. In substitution, France has drafted the dark horse of the French team Dayot Upamecano.
🚨🇫🇷 BREAKING: N’Golo Kanté returns to France national team squad for Euro 2024!
He’s back for the first time since June 3, 2022. pic.twitter.com/z7pW5RoKP5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 16, 2024
The only place where France can lag was in the mid-field where the players drafted are relatively young. Although the presence of Rabiot and Griezmann provides directness in France’s attack, substitutes like Tchouameni, Emery and Barcola have little or no experience (Barcola is the lone uncapped player in the squad). However, with the return of an experienced box-to-box midfielder like Kante, the midfield looks more sorted than before. Naturally, Les Bleus vie their chances to claim the European championship for the third time after winning in 1984 and 2000.
List of the provincial squad of France for Euro 2024
Let us look at the 25-member provincial squad for France (along with their clubs in the bracket):
Goalkeepers:
- Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
- Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
- Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders:
- Jonathan Clauss (Marseille)
- Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
- Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
- Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
- Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan)
- William Saliba (Arsenal)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
This is N’Golo Kante! 💫 pic.twitter.com/S3Sv3zDizP
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) May 16, 2024
Midfielders:
- Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad)
- Adrien Rabiot (Juventus )
- Aurlien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
- Warren Zare-Emery (PSG)
Everyone loves him & it’s great to see him back with the NT!https://t.co/vluKbFFceW
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) May 16, 2024
Forwards:
- Bradley Barcola (PSG)
- Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
- Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
- Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
- Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)
- Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
