N'ZONZI CALLED UP TO FRANCE SQUAD FOR TWO FRIENDLIES

Didier Deschamps published his squad-list for two France friendlies this Thursday - one which included Sevillista Steven N'Zonzi. Asked about the inclusion of the 28-year-old centre-midfielder, Deschamps said N'Zonzi has had a good start to the season with Sevilla FC and is a player "who knows how to be a good axis in the centre of midfield".  

N'Zonzi will now have the opportunity to represent 'les bleus' in friendlies against Wales (on the 10^th of November) and Germany (on the 14^th ).

The 24-man squad is as follows: Alphonse Areola, Benoît Costil, Steve Mandanda; Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti, Christophe Jallet, Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, Laurent Koscielny, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane; Blaise Matuidi, Steven Nzonzi, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko, Corentin Tolisso; Kingsley Coman, Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud, Alexandre Lacazette, Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial, Kylian Mbappé and Florian Thauvin.

Deschamps recognised that the two friendlies "let you look - and then look again - at players before making any definitive decisions" on the World Cup squad.