Struggles for Rayan Cherki and uncertainty over Ousmane Dembélé: what potential options for staff at the Blues?
France Prepares for World Cup Qualifiers Amid Injury Woes
The French national team is gearing up for their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, with matches against Ukraine on September 5 and Iceland on September 9. However, injuries have thrown a spanner in the works, as Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki and Ousmane Dembélé of PSG are both sidelined due to muscle injuries.
Didier Deschamps, the French manager, has been keeping a close eye on Hugo Ekitike, who was previously at Frankfurt. Ekitike, a Liverpool attacker, has shown impressive form and could be a potential replacement for Cherki. Unfortunately, Ekitike will not be able to participate in the training camp due to a thigh injury of his own.
In the absence of Cherki and potentially Dembélé, Deschamps has several options to consider. Maghnes Akliouche, who prefers to play on one side but can also evolve as a number 10, could be a contender. Another possibility is Matteo Guendouzi, who has been used in the number 10 position for the French team in the past.
Deschamps is also considering Désiré Doué as a replacement for Dembélé, should the latter be unable to participate in the training camp. Hugo Ekitike has also been used as a substitute in recent matches due to injuries among forwards.
Youssouf Fofana is another player in the squad, but Deschamps prefers him to have offensive responsibilities lower, not as a number 10. Warren Zaire-Emery, absent from the initial list due to a fragile status at PSG, could be recalled to replace Cherki if Deschamps decides to fill his position with a number 10 profile.
Marcus Thuram is the only player in this list with a real number 9 profile, beyond Kylian Mbappé. Michael Olise is the "titular" number 10 for the French team, but there are several players who can evolve in this position, including Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche, Desire Doué, Adrien Rabiot, and Matteo Guendouzi (if Deschamps decides to replace Cherki with a number 10 profile).
The possible absence of Dembélé could provide a real opportunity for Ekitike, who has the potential to be included in the French team, according to Deschamps, who noted Ekitike's good performance at Liverpool. Ekitike's last selection for the French team goes back to October 2024.
The French team's coaching staff will have to work in the next few hours to find one or two replacements for Rayan Cherki for the already essential training camp. The schedule for the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup includes a match against Ukraine on September 5 and Iceland on September 9.
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