Didier Deschamps has called up a 28-year-old newcomer to his squad: former Mainz player Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to make his France debut—and not just because other strikers are out with injuries.
Oliver Glasner has been making many players better at Crystal Palace for many months now. This was evident on Thursday when France’s national coach Didier Deschamps announced his squad for the October internationals: Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored 24 times for Mainz 05 in 67 Bundesliga games between 2018 and 2021, has been called up for the first time by the 2018 World Cup winners – a late bloomer at 28 years of age.
This is not least due to the fact that numerous attacking players are missing through injury, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembelé, Desiré Doué (both Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), and Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham Hotspur). Deschamps also explained that he simply finds Mateta’s profile “exciting”: “He has a knack for scoring goals.”
Reunion with Olise
For Palace, who are now unbeaten in 18 competitive games, the former U-national player and 2024 Olympic silver medalist has scored four times in ten games this season, but has also caused numerous problems for opposing defenses with his physical play and strong ball control. Now it’s time for a reunion with former Palace gem Michael Olise, who, like his Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano, is also in the squad.
Also on the list is former Frankfurt and new Liverpool player Hugo Ekitiké, although he had to be substituted due to injury in Tuesday’s Champions League away game at Galatasaray (0-1). The Reds have not yet communicated a diagnosis. Even without Dembelé and Doué, PSG still has the largest contingent with goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, Lucas Hernandez, and Bradley Barcola.
France has made a lackluster but successful start to World Cup qualifying with wins over Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1) and will face Azerbaijan at home on October 10 and Iceland again away on October 13.
France’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers in October:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (PSG), Mike Maignan (Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (FC Bayern)
Midfield: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Manu Koné (Roma), Michael Olise (FC Bayern), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Khephren Thuram (Juventus)
Attack: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Al-Nassr), Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Christopher Nkunku (Milan)
