Blues: Zidane calls another new kid with Eli Junior Kroupi who replaces Thuram

A new package for the Blues. After Pierre Kalulu on Monday, it is the turn of Marcus Thuram (35 caps, 3 goals) to give up. The Inter Milan striker, back in the selection after his absence in September, is not in a condition to continue with the selection. He was injured in the right ischio after his match on Sunday against Como in Serie A under the colors of Inter Milan (2-0). Meeting during which he scored the 2nd goal of the match, his 6th in 14 matches this season.

This persistent discomfort prevented him from taking part in training on Monday, and he remained in care. After examinations and unfavorable developments this Tuesday, the decision was made to send him back to his Milan club. The staff of the Blues and Inter have spoken in recent hours, before agreeing to make this decision.

Eli Junior Kroupi called by Zidane

Thuram left Clairefontaine this afternoon. A profile like Senny Mayulu (20 years old, 0 selection), performing well with Paris SG (9 matches, 3 goals, 2 assists) in an attacking position, he the training midfielder, and who trains with the Espoirs, could have been called up. Zinédine Zidane has already shown in the recent past, with Saël Kumbebi and Leny Yoro last September, that he wanted to rely on Gérald Baticle's hopes.

An attacker followed by the Blues… and PSG

But it is the Bournemouth striker, Eli Junior Kroupi (20 years old), who is summoned. The former Lorient player (5 U23 caps), followed by Zidane's staff since his return to competition in the Premier League, is still short of playing time (3 matches, 57 minutes of play) after his injury, but his profile, recognized by many big European teams like Paris SG which is not insensitive to his qualities, pleases the new coach. He is expected Tuesday evening in Clairefontaine. With Pablo Pagis, he will be the second rookie in attack, a sign of a facelift desired by “ZZ”.

“He is in the extended list (of 64 elements), he could have come and been with us,” declared the 1998 world champion Thursday when announcing his list. The only thing is that he was injured for 2-3 months. Even if he came in very well, because he made an assist and lots of things in 30 minutes, it was still a little short. » Not so short after all. We simply had to be patient for this pure product of French training. As a reminder, France faces Italy (November 12) and Turkey (November 15) in the Nations League this week.