France manager Didier Deschamps announced his final World Cup squad as national team manager this evening and included five PSG players.
Although there is still the UEFA Champions League final for PSG fans to focus on, with the Ligue 1 title now officially wrapped up, attention is beginning to turn to this summer's World Cup in North America.
The excitement is really beginning to grow as nations now confirm their official, final 26-man squads for the tournament. Countries have until the 30th of May to officially submit their final squads, but managers have already begun doing so with more than two weeks to spare.
One of those managers is France boss Didier Deschamps, who this evening announced his squad for what will be his final tournament as coach of Les Blues, after 14 years in the role.
In doing so, he has included five PSG players: Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue.
However, there will be no place for goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, as reported earlier. Deschamps simply has not been able to look past the fact that he has not played a single game since January. Although he missed the past few weeks due to injury, he had 19 consecutive games on the bench between January and April.
A huge congratulations to these PSG players who no doubt fully deserve it. Hernandez is perhaps a bit fortunate, but no doubt his versatility - able to play center back or left back - was a big factor.
For my money, Zaire-Emery has been one of the most underrated players in Europe this season. With many players from Luis Enrique's side missing a number of games this season, he has been there to fill in. So, fair play to him.
For example, the 20-year-old has more minutes than any other PSG player in Ligue 1 this season, playing in 31 games and starting 26 of those - both in his nominal midfield role and covering for Achraf Hakimi in the absence of the latter due to injury or AFCON.
As for the three attackers, it may be to France's benefit that they have been in and out of the side through injuries or rotation. They will be a lot fresher than some other players on opposing teams. It will be interesting to see how many of them are starters.
So, to just briefly recap, Hernandez, Zaire-Emery, Doue, Barcola, and Dembele all make the final squad. Chevalier does not. Commiserations to him, and get your head up as soon as possible.
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