The European Championship will kick off next month, and the teams that will enter the European Championship have been announced, and France, which is regarded as one of the favorites, has announced the army, 33-year-old, N'Golo Kante, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Jeddah United, has been called up again after two years, and coach Didier Deschamps said his experience has helped the team.
France, which is in Group D with Poland, the Netherlands and Austria, recently announced a list of 25 people, captain Mbappe is of course in the team, Real Madrid's "midfield double" Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, Griezmann and veteran Giroud are also selected, and there are long-lost names in the list, and 33-year-old midfielder Kante has been recalled. Winger Michael Olise, who has stolen the spotlight at Crystal Palace this season, has not been called up even after 10 goals and five assists in the Premier League.
N'Golo Kante, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Jeddah United and was one of the heroes of the 2018 World Cup triumph, was praised by fans for his ability to "cover all the lands on earth", but unfortunately he has been plagued by injuries in recent years, and left Chelsea last summer to move to the Middle East.
In the first season of the Saudi league, Kante only missed 4 league games in the whole season, and played a total of 42 games and 3,641 minutes in major competitions, with an average of 86 minutes per game, even if the intensity is not as strong as in the previous Premier League, but at least Kante finished the season healthy. Despite playing in the Middle East, coach Didier Deschamps is still looking at Kante's performance in Saudi Arabia and calling up the iron-blooded midfielder again, and Kante's last time for the French national team was in the UEFA Nations League in June 2022.
'He's played all season, he's playing for Saudi Arabia but he's back to his best physically, and his experience can make France stronger.' Deschamps explained to TF1 why N'Golo Kante was selected, partnering young players such as Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, and Kante's experience will certainly help the team.
List of 25 people from France
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Briss Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Klos (Marseille), Konate (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ferran Mendy (Real Madrid), Pavard, Dayo Yupamicano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Jeddah United), Eduardo Camavinga, Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Rabiot (Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Youssef Fofana (Monaco)
Forwards: Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcora, Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter), Giroud (AC Milan)
The Netherlands, which is also in Group D, also announced a 30-man preliminary list a few days ago, and midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is injured, and Wijnaldum, who plays in the Saudi league, were selected together.
The Netherlands has a preliminary list of 30 people
Goalkeepers: Bigello (Feyenoord), Mark Fleken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Nick Ollie (Sparta Rotterdam)
Defenders: Natan Ake (Manchester City), Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Dumfries, Stefan De Vrij (Inter), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Luthharel Hetlejda (Feyenoord), Matthijs De Ligt (Bayern Munich), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund), Mitch van der Ven (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Hrafenberg (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Koopmeiners, Martin de Jong (Atalanta), Tyjani Reinders (AC Milan), Yerdi Schouten, Joey Fellman (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Wijnaldum (Dammam)
Forwards: Stephen Bergwijn, Brian Brobby (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyère Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Burnley)