The French National Team Coach Didier Deschamps will be leading his team in a friendly and cup competition in the Nations League match against Iceland and Germany respectively from the 11 of October and he made known his 23 man squad for the encounter known in Paris on October 4, 2018. The squad he announced is similar to that of the one he used to lift the World Cup in Russia 2018.
The only twitches conspicuous are the additions of Kurt Zouma due to the absences of Umtiti and Rami and also the recalling of Digne due to the absence of Mendy of Manchester City who suffered a broken foot.
But another addition to the squad is Ndombele Tanquy , the 21 year old midfielder who plays for Lyon is expected to step in for Tolisso who is out due to injury. But one thing many are seemingly shocked about is the noticeable absence of French man Alexandre Lacazette. Olivier Giroud who never found the back of the net for the French team in the World Cup has been maintained despite his bad form in front of goal in his club colors.
The Arsenal man who is winner of the Arsenal goal of the month and Arsenal player of the month of September whose goal against Everton has been nominated for the EPL goal of the month has been ignored greatly by the gaffer of Les Bleus just as he did in May en route to the World Cup despite the fact that the player has done well for his club so far.
“I feel they just did not do well enough to deserve a place in the French side because I have many attackers who can play in different positions up front”; this was the reason Didier Deschamps gave when he was asked in May about the omission of Lacazette and some other big names from his squad. Didier Deschamps has not been consistent with his reason for picking up players for his squad. If the reason for omitting a player like Lacazette in May is anything to go by then he’s been unfair to the Frenchman who has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in five Premier League starts so far.
France’s forward Olivier Giroud celebrates the team’s victory in the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018.
Choosing a player like Olivier Giroud who has not scored a goal in 7 games thus far proves beyond doubt that Didier Deschamps doesn’t choose players in certain positions due to merit. Not to take anything away from Olivier, Yes, people who understand football know that he provides something to the team which other strikers not. But he is thirty-two and France have to start a process to looking out for someone to fill in his shoes.
Alexandre Lacazette managed 17 goals in all competitions last season but couldn’t make it for the team list for Russia; many related that omission to his subtle blip getting to the end of last season. But for his soared confidence and goal scoring prowess so far especially with the partnership between him and Aubameyang, many would have thought that Deschamps would have rewarded his efforts with a call up.
When asked by journalists about his omission in this recent squad call up for the friendly and Nations League Cup, Dideir Deschamps just said, “It is true that he is having a good early season where he is efficient and effective, there is competition in this position and for the moment the players I selected for the World Cup, I continue to rely on them”.
Among the strikers called up; Ousmane Dembele has managed 4 goals in 10 games, Nabil Fekir has managed 3 goals in 8 matches, Olivier Giroud has managed 0 goals in 7 games, Antoine Greizmann has also managed 4 goals in 10 games, Kylian Mpabbe has scored 8 out of 5 games thus far, Florian Thauvin has also managed 7 goals in 10 games.
Comparing all these statistics of the players called up by Didier Deschamps, it is more than clear that Lacazette deserved a call up to the national team.
Is Didier Deschamps wrong to ignore Lacazette once again? The Statistics say yes. But Deschamps says, Lacazette should continue doing what he is doing, Gooners all over the world will continue to support the 27 year old and wish him well and hope he continues in his good run of form in front of goal.
READ: Alexandre Lacazette: Never Back Down
