Tchouaméni, Thuram and Thauvin return to France squad for Nations League

Zinédine Zidane will unveil his squad on Friday afternoon for the final two matches of the first round of the Nations League, against Italy (November 12) and Turkey (November 15). According to Téléfoot, three experienced players are set to make their return: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Marcus Thuram and Florian Thauvin.

The France manager must cope without Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Ousmane Dembélé and likely Estéban Lepaul, all unavailable after missing their clubs’ recent matches. Koné’s absence opens the door for Tchouaméni, whom Zidane deliberately rested during the October window. The question remains as to what role the Real Madrid midfielder will play in the setup: during the last campaign, the manager preferred Lucas Da Cunha and Eduardo Camavinga as number 6, two profiles considered more comfortable on the ball.

Florian Thauvin, 33, arrives with solid credentials: six goals and seven assists with RC Lens this season. His presence remains subject to competition in an already crowded attacking sector, where Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola and Maghnes Akliouche — retained in the squad — are vying for places.

Marcus Thuram, who has delivered several strong performances with Inter Milan, should inherit the backup centre-forward role left vacant by Lepaul. Randal Kolo Muani, a starter at Juventus but lacking efficiency, is at a disadvantage to rejoin the group. Leny Yoro, recalled urgently last month after Ibrahima Konaté’s training injury, should also feature in the squad in the absence of Lacroix.