Kumbedi, first second-division player called up to France since Trezeguet in 2007

Zinédine Zidane has called up Saël Kumbedi, right-back at Wolfsbourg playing in the German second division, to cover for Pierre Kalulu’s absence during France’s squad gathering that began Monday. The Juventus defender, who suffered a left hamstring injury, will miss the Blues’ next two matches: against Italy on Thursday in Milan, then against Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux.

At 21 years old, the former Lyon player thus becomes the first player from a second division to join the France squad since David Trezeguet in February 2007. “Trezegol”, who was then playing for Juventus after their relegation to Serie B, was selected by Raymond Domenech to face Argentina. Before him, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Fabien Barthez had also experienced this situation.

Kumbedi’s call-up illustrates the scale of absences Zidane must contend with. Besides Kalulu, the manager is already without William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembélé and Estéban Lepaul, all ruled out through injury. In this context, Kumbedi’s profile, accustomed to the right-back position, precisely matches the need identified by the French staff.

Saël Kumbedi’s first call-up thus represents a rare statistical milestone in recent Blues history, nineteen years after the previous exception granted to a player competing outside the top flight.