Axel Disasi pulls out of France squad, Castello Lukeba called up

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 October 2023

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi withdraws from the France squad only a few hours after being called up due to a quadriceps injury, being replaced by Castello Lukeba.

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has withdrawn from the France squad with a reported quadriceps injury, only a few hours after being called up to the Bleus squad.

The former Monaco man was left out of Didier Deschamps's original selection, but both he and Blues teammate Malo Gusto were added to the ranks on Monday due to Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano's withdrawals.

Disasi was due to link up with the France squad at Clairefontaine later on tonight, but the French Football Federation have now announced that the 25-year-old has been forced to pull out.

An update from journalist Fabrice Hawkins claims that Disasi sustained a knock to the thigh in Saturday's 4-1 Premier League win over Burnley, but it is unclear how severe his affliction is.

In Disasi's place, Deschamps has promoted RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba to the senior squad, as the 20-year-old earns his first senior-call up for his country following 14 appearances for the Under-21s.

Disasi has already become the fourth France defender to pull out of the squad alongside Kounde, Upamecano and Arsenal's William Saliba, whose spot was filled by Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

France will aim to make it six wins from six in Euro 2024 qualifying against the Netherlands on Friday before meeting Scotland in a friendly at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on October 17.