Zidane bets on Lucas Da Cunha to refresh the midfield of the Blues
At 25, Lucas Da Cunha is about to receive his first call‑up to the French national team, following Zinedine Zidane's bold decision to refresh the midfield of the Bleus. The Roannais, who plays as captain of Como 1907, could thus shake up the dynamics of the tricolour midfield.
Zidane, from his first squad, wanted to leave his mark on the midfield. He therefore recalled Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Rayan Cherki and Warren Zaïre‑Emery, the latter being unavailable and replaced by Maghnes Akliouche. These choices reflect Zizou's desire to break with recent standards.
The slightly forced absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, and the likely retirement of N'Golo Kanté, open a spot within the squad. Lucas Da Cunha takes advantage of this void to get his foot in the door at Clairefontaine.
A decisive test against Belgium
Against Turkey, the Bleus lost 0‑1, with the Rabiot‑Koné‑Cherki trio favoured. Zidane could therefore make a change as early as Monday, during the duel against Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium.
An Italian rise with Como
Since his arrival in Lombardy in 2023, Lucas Da Cunha has joined the Como 1907 project, which reached the Champions League for the season. His development has been marked by a repositioning under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, moving from winger to central midfielder.
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« Since I've been in Italy, I've changed positions », the Roannais told So Foot in 2024. « It took me a whole half‑season to adapt, and by the end of the 2022‑2023 season, I started to be decisive ».
L’Équipe reports that Lucas Da Cunha touches an average of 79 balls per match, evidence of his involvement in the game. Under Fàbregas, he is expected to launch thoughtful attacks, free up teammates and create spaces, a philosophy close to that of Luis Enrique's PSG.
Eduardo Camavinga's return could be limited by the emergence of Lucas Da Cunha, whose pressing is a weapon that Zinedine Zidane values. This new dynamic could complicate opponents' reading, who were expecting the usual patterns.
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« Fàbregas wants us to always be alert », recalled the Spanish coach. « If a player moves into a space, and an opponent follows, another space opens and you have to see it and use it ».