Zaïre-Emery Out, Zidane Calls Up Akliouche for First Squad

Warren Zaïre-Emery will not participate in Zinédine Zidane’s first squad gathering as head coach of the France national team. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, who played the full 90 minutes in the Classique against Marseille on Sunday evening, is suffering from an adductor injury according to L’Équipe and has had to withdraw from Clairefontaine.

To replace him, Zidane chose to stay within PSG’s squad by calling up Maghnes Akliouche. The former AS Monaco player presents a markedly different profile from Zaïre-Emery: more offensive, more technical, he fits with the direction of a group increasingly focused on attacking play.

This withdrawal is the second in two days for the new manager. The day before, Robin Risser had also withdrawn and was replaced by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez. In total, only 21 of the 23 initially called-up players were expected at the first training session on Monday at Clairefontaine.

Among the six midfielders in the updated squad, at least two — Akliouche and Rayan Cherki — display a resolutely offensive profile, which outlines an ambitious 4-3-3 formation for Zidane’s debut on the France bench.

Updated France squad:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Guillaume Restes, Jean Butez.

Defenders: Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Pierre Kalulu, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano.

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Maghnes Akliouche.

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Estéban Lepaul, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise.