Zidane springs a surprise with Pagis and sees a reflection of himself in Doué

The ball is still rolling in the European leagues, but the Nations League is already in the starting blocks – and the national team managers are naming their squads. This includes Zinedine Zidane, who surprised everyone with one name in particular.

France have picked up ten points from their first four Nations League matches and top the Group 1 table in League A, ahead of Italy (7), Belgium (6) and Turkey (0). Things are looking good for the Equipe Tricolore, but for the upcoming fixtures in Italy on 12 November and against Turkey (15 November), national manager Zinedine Zidane will have to do without key players. Players such as William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea), Maghnes Akliouche (PSG), Manu Koné (AS Roma), Esteban Lepaul (Stade Rennes) and Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) are all unavailable.

Consequently, there were one or two surprises in the squad selection. The biggest of these is likely to be Pablo Pagis. The 23-year-old plays for Paris FC and has scored two goals in nine league matches this season. Outside Ligue 1, Pagis is a relative unknown, even though he shone last season for FC Lorient with ten goals and five assists, thereby earning a call-up for Paris.

The first FC Paris player to be called up to the national team in over 50 years?

“Pagis was selected because Akliouche has been injured and cannot travel,” explained Zidane: “Pablo was on the extended list, and he’s a player I wanted to take a look at. He’s interesting, different – and it’s good that I can watch him in this match,” continued Zizou, who also revealed that he had been scouting many players over the past few weeks.

Should Pagis feature, he would be the first French international to play for Paris FC in 53 years: in 1973, Jean-Paul Rostagni and Louis Floch played for the French national team. Compared to the September squad, Leny Yoro and Marcus Thuram are new additions alongside Pagis. Otherwise, the usual suspects feature in the squad, which is brimming with stars. The two Munich-based players, Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, are in the line-up, as are Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery and Kylian Mbappé.

Zidane’s special praise for Doué

PSG striker Desiré Doué was naturally included – and he even received special praise from Zidane, who admitted he was impressed by his style of play. “But that applies to all my players. I rate them all highly. The truth is, however, that what Desiré has been doing for some time now is brilliant. He’s a young player with a lot of talent and he’s a good listener. I like that he wants to improve. He pays close attention when someone gives him advice. I like the way he plays on the pitch, and I see a bit of myself in him, because I, too, wanted to improve and listen to more experienced players. That’s exactly what he does very well.”