Zinedine Zidane set to reshape the France squad

Zinedine Zidane is set to begin reshaping France after 14 years under Didier Deschamps, with his first squad announcement due in six days. The new coach has already identified a broad group of potential newcomers, suggesting that his first selection could bring several changes to the national team.

France will face four Nations League fixtures during Zidane’s opening window, meeting Turkey, Italy and Belgium twice between September 25 and October 5. The demanding schedule will give the former France playmaker an immediate test as he starts his tenure and establishes his preferred group.

More than 50 players have been included in the preliminary pool, among them Lens defender Ismaëlo Ganiou, Liverpool’s Jérémy Jacquet, Inter Milan midfielder Andy Diouf, Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul, Paris FC’s Pablo Pagis and Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fée. Lucas Da Cunha is another name under consideration. The 25-year-old left-footed attacking midfielder, who can also operate in a box-to-box role, captains Como and has helped the Italian club rise from Serie B to Serie A before its European campaign this season. Born in Roanne, he also holds Portuguese nationality through his father but has represented France from under-16 to under-19 level. His progress under Cesc Fabregas has now brought him into Zidane’s preliminary plans.