I Selected Players Better Than Martial, Lacazette – Deschamps

Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann headline France’s 2018 World Cup squad, but Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette were among the 11 reserves announced by boss Didier Deschamps on Thursday.

However Pogba’s United teammate, Martial, who won the last of his 18 senior caps when he started France’s 3-1 win over the World Cup hosts in St Petersburg in March, will only be called on if injury strikes Deschamps’ first choices for the forward roles.

Arsenal’s Lacazette, who scored both of France’s goals in their 2-2 draw with world champions Germany in November, finds himself in the same position.

“It’s always difficult. I was confronted with choices between a lot of players with a lot of quality. I know I can’t make all the players happy,” Deschamps said before announcing his 23-man squad on national television.

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud are all but certain starters along with Griezmann. Lyon captain Nabil Fekir’s exceptional domestic season earns him a place along with fellow Ligue 1-based talents Florian Thauvin of Marseille and Thomas Lemar of Monaco.

There was no place for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, who is preparing for the Champions League final but has not featured for Les Bleus since October 2015.

“I put the squad above everything, I have made choices for the good of the French national team,” Deschamps replied when asked about the forward’s absence.
One of the more surprising inclusions was Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi.

“Why not him?” was Deschamps’ response to being asked why the 29-year-old, who has just two senior caps, was selected. “A team isn’t just about stars. He maybe isn’t a genius on the ball, but he’s very effective in his role.

“It’s also a question of competition for places in his role. He’s not young, but he has played well when I have used him and [he] has been very good with his club since.”

“Just as I did two and four years ago, I have made a list of 23 players for a major tournament to build a group that is best-suited to go as far as possible. There are some players who won’t play much or not at all, but they will be active, they’ll be important for the squad too.”