Zidane brings the Bleus' squad closer: Lepaul and Diouf in view
There is now only one week left until Zinedine Zidane's first official call‑up as head coach of France; in the press room in Paris, journalists are awaiting the list of the Bleus, while the name of Andy Diouf, a rising star at Roma, already appears among the top candidates.
Lepaul in first preliminary call‑up
Estéban Lepaul, top scorer of Ligue 1 last season, has received his first preliminary call‑up with the senior national team. The Rennes striker has been added to the list of players monitored by the new selector of the Bleus. His inclusion marks the first time the Ligue scorer has entered Zidane's radar.
Alongside Lepaul, Pablo Pagis and Ismaëlo Ganiou have also been added to the profiles observed by the French technical staff. The two youngsters, still little known at international level, have attracted interest for their recent performances at their respective clubs. Their inclusion broadens the range of options for Zidane's first squad.
Andy Diouf, who delivered a brilliant performance with Inter, has been flagged as a possible choice for France. The Lens full‑back Matthieu Udol has also entered the radar of the new head coach. Both players have shown consistency in the opening weeks of the league, earning Zidane's attention.
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Le Fee wins Zidane's radar
According to Le Parisien, Enzo Le Fee has recently been pre‑selected. The Sunderland midfielder, a rising star at Roma with ten appearances in six months, convinced Zidane thanks to his excellent start to the season and his ability to cover multiple roles in midfield. His versatility makes him an interesting candidate for the future of the Bleus.
The new head coach of France is therefore building a watch list that spans from Ligue 1 to the Premier League. In addition to the names already mentioned, the staff continues to monitor the performances of young talents across Europe. Zidane has said he wants to reward merit and recent form, without limiting himself to the usual faces.
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With the first official call‑up scheduled for next week, the preliminary list will give an early indication of Zidane's choices. Media attention will be focused on those who manage to move from the preliminary call‑up to the final squad, marking the start of a new era for the Bleus.