Manchester United’s Anthony Martial is set to sit out the World Cup in France next month as well as Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette. Both players lead the prominent names missing from the list when Coach Didier Deschampsreleased a 23-man shortlist.
Martial has not netted for Manchester United since January and has been quiet in the last few months. Since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez at Old Trafford, his situation has worsened, with his confidence suffering as well. The former AS Monaco man has several admirers such as Arsenal and Juventus.
Lacazette has been decent of late but the competition for the forward roles in the French national team is very high. The coach explained that he has used both as starters and substitutes in several situations but he decided based on “acomplete analysis” of their performances and possible roles in the team at the World Cup.
Lacazette, Martial, Kingsley Coman and PSG’s AdrienRabiot are in the 11-man reserve list. However, DimitriPayet of Marseille has been left out entirely following his injury in the recent Europa League final in Lyon against Atletico Madrid. Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal is also sidelined and would be missing in action in Russia.
Deschamps preferred to go with Nabil Fekir, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, KylianMbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Florian Thauvin as forwards. Steven N’Zonzi of Sevilla could be said to be a surprise addition, as well as Benjamin Pavard of Stuttgart and Lucas Hernandez of Atletico Madrid.
Regulars such as N’GoloKante, BlaiseMatuidi, and Paul Pogba were included in the middle. Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City were also named in the 23-man merit list. PresnelKimpembe of PSG, Adil Rami and Steve Mandanda from Marseille also made the cut.
Spurs’ No. 1 Hugo Lloris is expected in goal with Alphonse Areola of PSG to support. CorentinTolisso expectedly made the merit list even as there are other talented players in the reserves, one month out of the finals in Russia.