World Champions France have revealed their 18-man squad for the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to begin on July 23, 2021. Superstar Kylian Mbappe has been left out, but there is a place in Arsenal’s William Saliba squad.
While France’s senior football team competes in the UEFA Euro 2020, the federation has announced an 18-man U23 squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Three players – Andre-Pierre Gignac, Florian Thauvin, and Teji Savanier are over the age of 23 but are named thanks to tournament regulations which allow for the same. Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, has been left out – the forward expected to go on a break following France’s Euro campaign.
There is Premier League representation in the squad, with Arsenal’s William Saliba and Chelsea’s Malang Sarr both included. However, the primary source of the team remains the French domestic league, with youngsters from Lyon, Lille, and Nice all making the squad. Tigres pair Gignac and Thauvin also make the cut, while the most high-profile inclusion is that of Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga, who has been linked with several top clubs in recent weeks.
France face a revolt from the clubs whose players have been included in the squad due to the start of the season scheduled close to the conclusion of the Olympics. Reports claim that Nice are refusing to let Amine Gouiri go. Rennes have blocked Camavinga from doing the same, while Monaco consider Benoit Badiashile too important to be released for the Olympics. Chelsea are also unlikely to let Malang Sarr join the squad. The youngster instead expected to report to pre-season under Thomas Tuchel.
