France announce squad for September friendlies, Lucas Hernandez makes a return, Pogba & Kante miss out

France head coach Didier Deschamps has unveiled his 23-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ireland and Germany.

Lucas Hernandez returns to the national team set-up for the first time since his anterior cruciate ligament injury at the World Cup 2022.

The French defender completed his move from Bayern Munich to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.

He is one of the three PSG players summoned, with the deadly duo of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele headlining the attack.

Dembele, who recently moved to Parc des Princes from Barcelona, and Mbappe will now look to cause more trouble to the opponents in the national colours.

Randal Kolo Muani has also been included amid the mounting speculation over his future, which lies between Eintracht Frankfurt and PSG.

Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman and Marcus Thuarm complete the attack.

Veteran midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who were part of the 2018 Cup triumph, have been overlooked by Deschamps.

Pogba’s lack of form and fitness concerns might have led to his exclusion, while Kante failed to make the cut despite being a regular for his new club Al-Ittihad.

The midfield boasts enough quality with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana and Boubacar Kamara.

Chelsea’s summer signing Axel Disasi has also got the nod, while Jule Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Theo Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano form a solid defence.

Les Bleus will welcome Ireland at Parc des Princes on September 7 before facing the Germans at the Signal Iduna Park five days later.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens).

Defenders: Axel Disasi (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).