Didier Deschamps will very likely choose experience. As mentioned on our site on Friday, N’Golo Kanté, one of the only two world champions in the group with Benjamin Pavard, should, according to our information, wear the armband, Thursday evening in the League of Nations against Israel at the Stadium from France (8:45 p.m.). The combined absences of Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, not selected for this gathering, and Aurélien Tchouaméni (designated in October against Israel and Belgium), injured in an ankle, would thus offer the little Al Ittihad midfielder his second captaincy in the starting a match in 64 caps.
On September 9, when Mbappé, for his last appearance to date in the French team, started the Nations League match against Belgium on the bench (2-0), Kanté had already been designated. He did not, however, appear before the press on the eve of the meeting. He left this exercise to Dayot Upamecano and then returned this piece of cloth to Parisian Mbappé who came on in the 67th minute against the Red Devils. During the Euro, when the crack Bondy was released during the match, first against Austria in the group stage after his nose injury (1-0), then Portugal in the quarter-finals (0- 0, 5 tab to 3), Kanté had, invariably, recovered the armband.
A man of few words
Among the 23 players called to face Israel then Italy on November 14 and 17, there were, besides Kanté, at least 4 who could claim this responsibility (Koundé, Maignan, Rabiot, Konaté). True to form, Deschamps and his staff first spoke with the various players concerned at the start of the course. Asked about this on Thursday November 7, Didier Deschamps evaded. “You will find out on Thursday (November 14) for the match. Or maybe Wednesday if I decide to send the captain to a press conference, but it’s not an obligation. »
At 33 years old and with 63 caps, Kanté, the surprise guest of the last Euro, where he showed himself rather to his advantage despite a drop in performance over the course of the competition, is a taciturn. A leader by example, through his experience, his good nature and his tireless activity in the field, he brings together unanimity on his name. Consequently, his designation would be part of a form of group logic and collective dynamics valued by the coach. The latter also preferred to appoint a field player while only the captain is authorized to speak to the referees.
For the record, France is currently second in its group, one point behind Italy, only needs a draw against Israel to validate its qualification for the quarter-finals on March 20 and 23, 2025. A defeat, if Belgium does not not impose at the same time against Italy, would also validate his ticket.
