France’s national football team has decided to bring in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery for the first time, as the 17-year-old has been named in the squad for the team’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece. This selection was made by coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday.
Zaire-Emery, who has been in top form this season with two goals in 10 Ligue 1 games, has played every minute of PSG’s four Champions League matches. Deschamps stated in a press conference that the young player’s capabilities and maturity are evident from his impressive performances for the club.
Having made his debut last season at 16 years and 151 days old, Zaire-Emery was also appointed as the captain of France’s under-21 squad by coach Thierry Henry in September. It was revealed that Aurelien Tchouameni would not be able to join the France squad due to a foot injury suffered in a LaLiga match for his club Real Madrid last month. However, Zaire-Emery’s spot in the squad was not necessarily dependent on Tchouameni’s absence, as he has become a key player for PSG.
Deschamps was questioned about the chances of the young midfielder making it to the Euro finals, to which he responded, “Why not? If he’s there, he has everything. As long as he does it at PSG and I believe he has the potential to do it at international level he is a candidate for the Euro.”
Another player absent from the France squad is Benjamin Pavard, who suffered a knee injury in Inter Milan’s recent Serie A game. He has been replaced by Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who made his debut for France in September’s friendly defeat by Germany.
With France already securing qualification for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany, having won all six games in Group B, they are set to host Gibraltar on Nov. 18 in Nice, followed by their final group game away to Greece three days later.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Ken Ferris)
