Mbappe Left Out Of France Squad For November Internationals

Didier Deschamps, the coach who insists the absence of the Real Madrid superstar “is for the best,” has left Kylian Mbappe out of the France squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Israel and Italy.

The national team captain missed the double-header against Israel and Belgium in October, making it the second consecutive absence from the French squad.

At a press conference in Paris, Deschamps stated to reporters that he and I have spoken to each other and that this get-together is best.

The 25-year-old Mbappe was off for the last two games to help him recover from a minor thigh injury sustained while playing for Real.

However, when he returned to action for Real days later, before France had even played, that quickly became a source of controversy.

Mbappe skipped a 4-1 victory over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 victory over Belgium when he was replaced by members of his entourage in Stockholm.

Swedish media reported that he was being looked into for allegedly raping him shortly after that trip. While Mbappe’s attorney claimed the player would file a libel complaint, he claimed those reports were “fake news.”

Mbappe was unnamed when a Swedish prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been opened.

“I am not going to set out my argument, but I can say two things. The first is that Kylian wanted to come”, Deschamps added.

The second is that the presumption of innocence does not apply to off-field issues.

Since last month’s controversy, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward has made four appearances for his club, scoring one goal. However, he remains short of his explosive best form.

“I don’t want to say any more about it. I stand by my decision”, Deschamps added.

France are second in Group A2 of the Nations League, one point behind leaders Italy, ahead of their final two fixtures.

On Thursday, November 14, they play Israel at the Stade de France, followed by an Italian game in Milan.

The top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals, which will take place over two legs in March, with France five points clear of Belgium in third place.

The semi-finals and final will be played next June.

Veteran midfielder N’Golo Kante, of Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, returns to the squad along with Adrien Rabiot of Marseille.

Meanwhile, there is a first call-up for highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who takes the place of West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola in the squad.

Italy and Israel will be played by France in the match:

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

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

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

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA).

Source: Channels TV