Kurt Zouma left out of France squad, Christopher Nkunku earns first call-up

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 March 2022

Kurt Zouma left out of France squad, Nkunku earns first call-up

West Ham United centre-back Kurt Zouma is left out of the France squad for March's international friendlies, but Christopher Nkunku earns his first senior call-up.

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma has not been called up to the France squad for March's friendly fixtures with Ivory Coast and South Africa.

The RSPCA announced on Wednesday that they had begun the process to bring a prosecution against Zouma and his brother Yoan after footage emerged of the centre-back slapping and kicking his pet cat.

Zouma has continued to represent West Ham since the incident, but the 27-year-old has not earned a place in Didier Deschamps's squad following the latest developments.

Deschamps has called upon two uncapped players for the friendlies, with RB Leipzig attacker Nkunku set to earn his first senior caps after scoring 26 goals and setting up 15 more in 38 games this season.

Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss has also earned a place in the squad, with the 29-year-old registering four goals and nine assists from 27 Ligue 1 matches in the 2021-22 season.

Mike Maignan is back in the squad to replace Benoit Costil after missing out in the autumn through injury, while Paul Pogba is also recalled after suffering his serious thigh injury in France training back in November. Lucas Digne is also included despite sustaining a muscular problem in Aston Villa's defeat to West Ham United last week.

FRANCE SQUAD IN FULL: Maignan, Lloris, Areola, Digne, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez, Kimpembe, Kounde, Pavard, Varane, Clauss, Kante, Guendouzi, Pogba, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Ben Yedder, Benzema, Mbappe, Diaby, Nkunku, Griezmann, Coman