Didier Deschamps Faces the Tough Challenge of N’Golo Kanté’s Situation

With Didier Deschamps, selecting the squad for each gathering is never straightforward. This November break, the French coach surprised everyone by recalling N’Golo Kanté, who had not been called up for over a year. In a bold move, the Al-Ittihad midfielder went from a comeback to starting immediately in an important match against Ukraine.

In the pre-match press conference, Deschamps expressed his confidence in the 35-year-old’s experience. “Kanté is doing well; he arrived with a smile. Will he start after yesterday’s training session? It’s not up to me to decide the team at training (laughs). He maintains his performance level with a good rhythm, as his club is competing in the Asian Champions League. He remains at his best. His experience is also very important,” he said. On the pitch, Kanté proved Deschamps right, delivering a standout performance at Parc des Princes against Ukraine and even setting up a goal for Michael Olise.

A Puzzle for Didier Deschamps

Does this mean there is no debate about his place in the team? Not quite. On Friday, the French daily L’Équipe reported that the situation regarding the 35-year-old midfielder is divisive and complex. Kanté benefited from Aurélien Tchouameni’s absence. However, if the coaching staff aims to give space to younger players like Tchouameni, Koné, and possibly Rabiot, Deschamps does not see Kanté as merely a third option. It is challenging for him to call up Kanté just to sit on the bench, especially in the double pivot formation Deschamps prefers.

The French daily adds that the coaching staff is cautious because, while they know Kanté plays an important role in the squad due to his unique presence and vast experience, they are also aware that his physical condition is declining (as seen during the Euros in Germany). In the U.S., as illustrated by the Club World Cup, the weather conditions are likely to significantly affect players’ fitness. Therefore, recalling him could mean sidelining a younger midfielder who is more physically capable. This presents a real dilemma for the French staff in the coming months, as managing Kanté’s situation is not straightforward.