French team: who to replace Kylian Mbappé?

The news is out. While the Real Madrid staff did not show any concern when Kylian Mbappé was holding his left leg during his substitution against Alavés (3-2), the medical statement from the Casa Blanca finally confirmed “an injury to the biceps femoris of the left leg”. A physical problem that will keep Mbappé off the pitch for three weeks according to various media. An unavailability that is unusual for the former Parisian, since we have to go back to the 2019/2020 season to see the trace of an absence of more than two weeks.

If the length of his unavailability is confirmed, Mbappé will miss the derby against Atlético, the Champions League match against LOSC and the reception of Villarreal. But not only that. Out for three weeks, the Bondynois will logically not be able to claim a place in the list that Didier Deschamps will reveal on Thursday, October 3 for the Nations League matches against Israel (October 10) and Belgium (October 14). Undoubtedly deprived of his captain, the coach will therefore have to find a replacement. But who? Several possibilities are possible, depending on the profile that will be favored by DD. Indeed, if the Bayonnais wishes to call up a player with the profile of a central striker, two names stand out.

Possible surprises

The first shone last night in the League Cup with Chelsea. Author of a hat-trick against Barrow (English D4), Christopher Nkunku (26 years old) is undoubtedly the player who has the most legitimacy to be called up. His appointments in blue have however often been spoiled by injuries, notably in 2022, when he was supposed to be on the trip to Qatar. Author of a very remarkable start to the season in England, the former Parisian, who has not played with the national team since 2023, scored 6 goals in 8 matches. Another Frenchie exiled in the Premier League, Jean-Philippe Mateta (27 years old) hopes, for his part, to benefit from the Olympic effect, as was the case for Michael Olise. Very good with Crystal Palace (4 goals, 1 assist in 7 matches), the former Lyonnais had reminded the French public of his good memories by signing an XXL Olympic tournament under the orders of Thierry Henry (5 goals in 6 matches, silver medal). Pre-selected for the September gathering, Mateta had in any case expressed his desire to one day join Deschamps’ group.Just being pre-selected? It’s not a disappointment. It makes me want to work even harder to be selected and get even more results. Taking over from Giroud? Yes. If I’m given the chance. I’ll try anyway. What he did was great.»

On the other hand, if Deschamps wants to entrust the center forward position to the duo Thuram-Kolo Muani and take a player from the side, there are again many options. Back in competition with Bayern Munich, Kingsley Coman (28 years old) is logically cited among the most credible candidates. With 57 caps to his name (8 goals), the Bavarian was not part of the last gathering due to an injury. After leaving doubts hanging over his international future after Euro 2024, will Coman have a new chance to prove his desire to perform with the Blues? Unless DD chooses to create a surprise. While some are thinking of Martin Terrier (27 years old), a starter with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, the announcement of the pre-selection of Florian Thauvin (31 years old) has not failed to be commented on. With 4 goals and 3 assists in 6 matches with Udinese, the ex-Marseillais finally seems to have launched his adventure in Italy. Is it time to call him back after a five-year absence? The other surprise could be Maghnes Akliouche. At 22, the AS Monaco player has chosen to represent France and not Algeria and his attacking, hard-hitting profile is attracting a lot of observers at the start of the season. A regular in Adi Hütter’s starting eleven (1 goal, 1 assist in 6 matches), Akliouche could, like Olise and Manu Koné, be part of the breath of fresh air that Deschamps wants to breathe into his group.