Zaïre-Emery or Akliouche: Zidane decides on final midfield spot for France

Zinedine Zidane reveals his squad this Thursday for France’s next two UEFA Nations League matches: against Italy on November 12, then Turkey on November 15. In midfield, the final available spot pits two PSG players against each other: Warren Zaïre-Emery and Maghnes Akliouche.

In the engine room, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Adrien Rabiot and Eduardo Camavinga have the edge after their strong autumn performances. Aurélien Tchouameni should also feature in the squad. So it is for the last ticket that Zaïre-Emery and Akliouche are battling.

Zaïre-Emery appears to have the staff’s preference. Initially selected in September, he had to withdraw through injury. Since then, he has delivered high-level performances with PSG, and Zidane clearly wants to assess him with the national team. Akliouche, who joined Paris this summer from Monaco, was called up as reinforcement precisely to cover for his teammate’s absence a month ago. His playing time has soared at PSG, and his recent performances speak in his favour.

An external factor could, however, reshuffle the cards. Jules Koundé’s uncertain fitness opens an unexpected tactical option: capable of playing on the right flank, Zaïre-Emery could be integrated into defensive rotation to cover a potential absence of a fullback. In that scenario, the midfield door would naturally open for Akliouche. A hybrid solution that would allow Zidane to include both players without disrupting the overall balance of the squad.