With Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté out of the equation ahead of the World Cup due to injuries, Didier Deschamps has some tough choices to make for his France midfield ahead of the World Cup.
Some are almost guaranteed a space, like Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni, but there are others who could make surprise appearances, such as Tottenham loanee Tanguy Ndombélé.
This is according to L’Equipe, who explain that due to a shortage of choices, the midfield is the area where ‘the most questions are being asked’.
Ndombélé certainly wasn’t anywhere near the France squad when the season started, as he returned to Tottenham from his mediocre Lyon loan spell, but his move to Napoli has changed a few things.
He certainly hasn’t excelled there, but he has gradually made a space for himself in Luciano Spalletti’s plans, capitalising on a few injuries to make a name for himself and standout.
Furthermore, his experience with France, for whom he has seven caps, could certainly play in his favour over younger players.
That’s why L’Equipe call the Tottenham man a ‘serious contender’ to make the list of 26 players called up by Deschamps.
They add that he has ‘come back nicely over the past few weeks with Napoli and is part of the candidates’ to make up numbers in midfield.
Staying at Tottenham certainly wouldn’t have led to this, where Antonio Conte had no use for him, and there’s no denying the decision to head to Naples appears to be paying off.
