Zinédine Zidane Prepares France Squad Announcement Amid Defensive Personnel Changes

French national team manager Zinédine Zidane is set to announce his second squad selection this Friday at 6:00 p.m. local time. The roster will determine the lineup for France's upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, which include a match against Italy in Milan on November 12 and a home game against Turkey in Bordeaux on November 15.

The selection process comes at a challenging time for the French defense, as several key players are sidelined due to injury. William Saliba remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a back issue, and Maxence Lacroix is expected to be out for the remainder of the year following a hamstring tear. Furthermore, Jules Koundé’s participation remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a left ankle sprain.

In response to these defensive gaps, reports indicate that Zidane may look to new or returning faces to bolster the backline. Lucas Hernandez, who has shown strong form with Paris Saint-Germain, is considered a candidate for a recall. Additionally, RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is being monitored for his versatility, as he is capable of playing both as a central defender and a left-back.

The squad announcement is also expected to feature the return of several prominent players who missed the previous international window. Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is anticipated to return after a lengthy injury layoff, and Ibrahima Konaté is also expected to be included. Furthermore, captain Kylian Mbappé is likely to rejoin the group after missing recent matches due to a left knee injury.

Beyond the defensive adjustments, the team faces absences in other areas of the pitch. Ousmane Dembélé is expected to be sidelined due to injury, alongside midfielder Manu Koné and forward Esteban Lepaul, who is dealing with an ankle issue. These absences may provide opportunities for other players, with reports suggesting that Lens forward Florian Thauvin could be in contention for a return following his impressive performance this season, having recorded six goals and eight assists in 12 matches.

While Zidane continues to evaluate his options for the French squad, news from the Algerian national team also surfaced regarding the Zidane family. Algerian manager Brahim Hemdani confirmed that goalkeeper Luca Zidane was not selected for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Togo. Hemdani explained that the decision was based on a desire to prioritize players with consistent playing time, noting that Luca Zidane has recently lost his starting position at CD Leganés.