One of the players from Chelsea has decided to withdraw from the latest France squad after discussing the reasons with Didier Deschamps.
After suffering a loss in the semi-finals at Euro 2024, France is gearing up to start a new UEFA Nations League campaign. The team will face Italy and Belgium in the first matches of the campaign, providing a tough challenge as they aim for the trophy.
Only a handful of players from the Euro 2024 squad are missing out on the upcoming matches, mostly due to injuries. Deschamps seems to prefer sticking to familiar faces rather than experimenting with new players in the upcoming months.
However, there has been a setback for Les Bleus as one of Chelsea’s French players has opted out of representing his country during the September international break.
Fofana, the center-back who missed the entire 2023-24 season due to a serious knee injury, raised eyebrows by making an immediate comeback to the starting lineup under new head coach Enzo Maresca. Despite his injury history, Fofana managed to start in three Premier League matches against Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace.
Initially included in the latest France squad, Fofana was expected to earn more caps for the national team after his debut in the 14-0 win over Gibraltar last summer. However, the French Football Federation revealed that Fofana chose to prioritize his recovery over rushing back into action at this stage.
With only 25 appearances since the start of the 2022-23 season, Fofana is understandably cautious about his progression following two major injuries. Despite doubts, he managed to complete full 90-minute performances in the Premier League matches. The impact of his decision on his international career remains to be seen, but Fofana believes it is essential to prioritize his well-being.