Didier Deschamps confirms Aurélien Tchouaméni will retain France captaincy

In the absence of Kylian Mbappé (25), controversially left out of the France squad, and Antoine Griezmann (33), who announced a shock retirement from international football ahead of the international break, Didier Deschamps had to name a new captain for the UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium.

Mika Maignan, Ibrahima Konaté and Jules Koundé were all in contention, but in the end it was Aurélien Tchouaméni who was allowed to wear the armband against Israel on Thursday in Budapest. However, ahead of that match, Deschamps hinted that the captain might change hands again for Monday’s match against Belgium.

“We will see for Monday, and also for afterwards,” Deschamps said earlier this week in response to the question about the bracelet. However, after wearing it in the 4-1 win over Israel, Tchouaméni now looks set to keep it against Belgium. As a precaution, the Real Madrid midfielder was absent from training on Saturday, but if he is fit enough to start, he will retain the captaincy, it seems. “If he feels good and plays, he will be the captain” Deschamps confirmed in an interview with Televoet.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle