With Zinédine Zidane now at the helm of the French national team, speculation is rife regarding potential squad selections and revivals. Several players currently competing in the Premier League are being discussed as possible inclusions, with their recent form and profiles aligning with what Zidane might seek.
Éli Junior Kroupi, the 19-year-old forward at Bournemouth, has reportedly caught the eye of both Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team setup. Kroupi finished the season strongly, scoring five goals in Bournemouth’s final eight matches, including strikes against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal. Despite being eligible for Portugal through his mother, reports suggest he favors representing France, following in the footsteps of his father, Éli Senior, who earned two caps for Ivory Coast.
Also in contention is Adrien Truffert, the 24-year-old left-back who has established himself as a regular starter for Bournemouth after a move from Stade Rennais, making 38 Premier League appearances last season. With Theo Hernandez now playing in Saudi Arabia and concerns over the fitness of Lucas Digne and Ferland Mendy, a door may have opened for Truffert to challenge for a place in the squad. He has one senior cap for France, earned in 2022 against Denmark.
Further down the line, 20-year-old Dayann Methalie of Toulouse is being monitored as a potential future addition. The young player impressed in Ligue 1 last season as a piston in Carles Martinez Novell’s system. Meanwhile, Castello Lukeba, the 25-year-old RB Leipzig defender, could find opportunities with William Saliba sidelined. Lukeba, a left-footed centre-back, has 27 caps for the French youth teams and a brief appearance for the senior side.
Midfield options are also under consideration, with Lucas Da Cunha, formerly of Rennes, Nice, and Clermont, reinvented as a midfielder at Como under Cesc Fàbregas. Enzo Le Fée, who impressed at Sunderland after previous spells in France and Italy, is also being discussed. Ewen Jaouen, currently at Newcastle, and Estéban Lepaul, the Ligue 1 top scorer, are also potential candidates. Even a return for Karim Benzema has been floated, given his strong relationship with Zidane from their time at Real Madrid.
The arrival of Zidane has sparked renewed optimism and a wider look at potential players, particularly those performing well in leagues like the Premier League and Ligue 1. The upcoming international fixtures will be crucial in assessing these players and shaping the new-look French squad.
