Deschamps Snubs Ekitike, Calls Up Akliouche For France’s World Cup Qualifiers

‎Hugo Ekitike will not celebrate his first France cap next month, as he was not included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

‎The French manager announced the lineup on Wednesday.

‎The 23-year-old striker has made an excellent start in the Liverpool jersey with three goals in his first three matches, following his summer transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

‎Deschamps emphasised the depth of competition for attacking positions in the French side.

‎”You might see him (Ekitike) a bit more now because he’s at Liverpool, but we also followed him when he was at Frankfurt, where he had a perfect season,” Deschamps told a press conference.

‎”The fact that he is at Liverpool and continues to perform well is great. But then there’s also competition for his position. Obviously, he has the potential to play for France.”

‎Deschamps has named forwards Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Marcus Thuram in his squad. The list includes a mix of established stars and rising talents.

‎”Between those who are here and those who could be here, I have a choice. Obviously, I can’t take them all,” Deschamps added.

‎France squad:

‎Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Paris St Germain), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes).

‎Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

‎Midfielders: Desire Doue (Paris St Germain), Manu Kone (AS Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Olympique de Marseille), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Khephren Thuram (Juventus).

‎Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St Germain), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

‎Les Bleus will play Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland, on September 5. Four days later, they meet Iceland.