MY ACCOUNT
Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Kylian Mbappe will return when France take on South Africa in Lille on Tuesday.
Mbappe missed Les Bleus’ 2-1 victory against the Ivory Coast on Friday as a precaution with an ENT infection, where a late Aurelien Tchouameni goal sealed the friendly win.
However, without specifying whether it would be from the start or the bench, Deschamps has said the Paris Saint-Germain star will be back in contention for the next encounter.
When asked about Mbappe, Deschamps told Telefoot: “He is much better, he will be there on Tuesday.”
The 23-year-old has 24 goals in 53 caps for France, but could face competition in the form of Christopher Nkunku, who made his international debut in Friday’s win in Marseille.
The RB Leipzig forward has been in sensational form for the Bundesliga club this season, scoring 26 goals in 39 games across all competitions.
“[My debut] was an exceptional moment for me,” he told reporters. “It was a committed match against a technical and physical team. I am a French international and I hope to be so for as long as possible.”
Meanwhile Lens full-back Jonathan Clauss, who also made his senior international bow after being called up for the first time at the age of 29, hopes to be in contention for a place in Deschamps’ World Cup squad later this year.
“We are all competitors, we all want to play extraordinary competitions, otherwise we wouldn’t be here,” he added. “We must not put the cart before the horse.
“I have to keep performing if I want to be part of this group for the World Cup. I don’t make that decision, but I’ll make sure to do my best.”
