Place de Mbappé, praise to Doué, surprise Pagis… The truths of Zinédine Zidane after his list of the Blues

Pagis’ surprise call-up: “He is selected this evening because we had a problem with Maghnes Akliouche (calf) who was affected. Another player had to be chosen and Pablo (Paris FC, 0 selection) was in the extended list. He’s an interesting, different player and it’s good to see him at this gathering.”

The positioning of Mbappé in Blue: “In any case, you stuck to what I said at the last rally (that he was waiting for him on the left). He can play in several positions. At this rally, he will be able to play in his preferred position, at the forefront, there is no problem. Kylian started his career on the left, a little on the right, up front, he can play in many positions.

Also read French team: return of Mbappé and Tchouameni, first for Pagis… Zidane’s list for Italy and Turkey

What he wants to see from his Blues: “I want us to show our opponent the potential we have, that we are capable of doing great things. Be better than the opponent, without wanting to intimidate, and we want to prepare accordingly.”

The selection of Gusto, replacement at Chelsea: “Jules (Koundé) is affected, we had to make a choice. He was the player on the list. He knows the French team, the selection. He has little playing time, you are right. I want to give him the opportunity to come with us again. It’s deserved for him.”

Désiré, what he’s doing right now is magnificent. He is a young player who wants to progress, very attentive. I see him going very far.

Zinedine Zidane

His view of Zaire-Emery: “No, I don’t see him on the right at all. I don't see him in this (lateral) position. We're not in a club. I want to see him in the middle. I want him to be himself. I really like this player, he is young and talented.”

The return of Tchouaméni and Thuram: “He finds a place in the selection, and he is operational again after being affected during the last rally. The players must be ready for both matches and it is up to me to make my choices. Marcus, it’s the same, this is the opportunity to see him. There was an injury and this was the opportunity to get him. He knows the French team, I wanted to see him.”

His desire for this sequence: “The idea is not to only take old ones and not only new ones. I want to see them play, I have the possibility to choose. I want to see players, I have the opportunity to choose. Pablo Pagis, this was the opportunity. I want to see him with us, I don’t know how it will happen.”

The evolution of Doué: “Yes (if he impresses him). But I love all my players. Désiré, what he’s doing right now is magnificent. He is a young player who wants to progress, very attentive, I like what he does on and off the pitch. I recognize myself a little when I was a player: I wanted to progress, to listen to the elders. (His best position) He can play anywhere. Afterwards, it depends on the moment, the match and the choice we make. Where he is best is when he is on his left side and can go inside. I see him going very far. What he can do is continue to progress because we are improving all the time. Players must have that in mind, even when you are very strong and very old (laughs).”

In the offensive sector, we need to do better.

Zinedine Zidane

Six players trained at Stade Rennais en Bleu: “They have a very good training center, with competence. We don't envy anyone in France, we have everything we need. Rennes brought out a lot of very good players. Things are well done. A trademark? Honestly, it’s difficult to go into this detail. They are all very good players. »

The goalkeeping hierarchy: “I can’t tell you now. We wanted Robin (Risser) to be there at this rally and then we will discuss with Fabien (Barthez) to make our decision.

Olise’s physical alert with Bayern: “The idea is that we have a lot of exchanges. There are players who are a little affected. Michael this is not the case, he played his last match and did not feel any pain. And I want to have it with me anyway. If it’s not much, he has to be with us so he was called, naturally.”

The absence of L. Hernandez: “No (he is not too old to be in the French team). These are choices unfortunately. He is on the list of 64 players, but then I make choices. I have chosen other players for this gathering but the door is not closed for anyone.

The Blues' project in November: “On the offensive sector, we need to do better. And with the players we have, we must do better. I'm not worried. These are things to put in place, automatisms to have. We can improve, that’s clear. We had 68% of ball possession, 92% of successful passes and when we calculate the ratio with the chances, I am not satisfied, we can do a lot better.

Kroupi’s non-call-up: “He’s a player on our list, he could have come with us. He was injured for two or three months, even if he came back well, it was a bit short.