MX23RW : Monday, December 2 08:42:08| >> :120:35968:35968:

Kylian Mbappe out of France squad: Didier Deschamps explains Real Madrid star's shock snub

Mbappe is fit and
© Imago
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe is left out of the France squad for their Nations League matches against Israel and Italy in what Didier Deschamps labels a one-off decision.

France manager Didier Deschamps has offered a vague explanation to Kylian Mbappe's shock absence from the Bleus squad for this month's UEFA Nations League fixtures with Italy and Israel.

The 25-year-old has been omitted from a Bleus selection for the second month running, having not been summoned by Deschamps for October's wins over Israel and Belgium after just recovering from an injury.

Mbappe is now fully fit once again and has played the full 90 minutes in each of Los Blancos' last three games, although he has failed to find the back of the net in that time and has only registered one assist in his last 270 minutes of football.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star also became embroiled in an alleged rape case in Sweden during the October international period, although he vehemently denies the accusations made against him.

In spite of his problems on and off the field, the attacker's unexpected absence from the national team setup has sent shockwaves around France, and Deschamps told the media that it was simply a one-off choice when asked why Mbappe was not selected.

Deschamps insists Mbappe decision is not due to rape allegations

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on September 24, 2024© Imago

The Bleus boss also affirmed that Mbappe "wanted to come" to the national team setup and refuted suggestions that the allegations of rape played a part in his decision, stating that the Real Madrid star must be considered innocent until proven guilty.

"It's my responsibility to make decisions. I think it's better that way. I'm not going to argue," Deschamps told journalists. "What I can tell you are these two things.

"One, Kylian wanted to come. Two, it's not the extra sporting problems that come into play since the presumption of innocence exists and must exist. It's a one-off choice for this gathering."

In Mbappe's absence, the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Christopher Nkunku will shoulder the goalscoring burden for France, and the former shone in the absence of his captain last month.

Kolo Muani, who has been linked with a January loan move to the Premier League, scored both of France's goals in their 2-1 triumph over Belgium last month, having also provided an assist in the 4-1 crushing of Israel.

Any other surprises in the France squad?

Didier Deschamps coach of France during the UEFA European Championships semi final - 9th July 2024. © Imago

Mbappe's absence from the ranks will no doubt dominate the headlines, but amid the reaction to the attacker's shock snub, congratulations are in order for Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

The 23-year-old has taken Alphonse Areola's place in the shot-stopping department, and there is no place in the selection for injured Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is banned after his red card against Belgium anyway.

Instead, Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot has been called up for November's double-header, which sees France take on Israel at the Stade de France on November 14, three days before they face Italy at San Siro.

Les Bleus sit second in League A Group 2 of the Nations League with nine points, one worse off than leaders Italy, and Deschamps's men can still be knocked out of the top two by Belgium if they lose both of their games this month.

France squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), N'Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)

ID:557585:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8374:

Click here for more stories about Kylian Mbappe

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on September 24, 2024
Read Next:
Real Madrid's loss, Chelsea's gain: France Nations League squad revealed
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona15111343162734
2Real Madrid14103130111933
3Atletico MadridAtletico159512681832
4Athletic Bilbao157532214826
5Villarreal147522723426
6Mallorca157351513224
7GironaGirona156452220222
8Osasuna146441922-322
9Real Sociedad156361311221
10Real BetisBetis155551618-220
11Celta Vigo155372327-418
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano144461416-216
14Las PalmasLas Palmas154382026-615
15Leganes153661420-615
16AlavesAlaves154291625-914
17Getafe152761013-313
18Espanyol144191527-1213
19Valencia132471321-810
20Real ValladolidValladolid1523101032-229


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!