Zidane's fresh call‑ups could reshape three players' market futures

Zinedine Zidane used his second appointment as France coach to give a chance to new players. Pablo Pagis, Saël Kumbedi, Eli Junior Kroupi and Senny Mayulu were called for the first time for the Nations League matches against Italy and Belgium.

Contrasting market situations

Among the four, three arrive in contrasting transfer market situations. Pagis is still trying to gain exposure beyond Paris FC. Kroupi is already the target of European giants. Kumbedi received the opportunity while playing in the German second division.

Pagis seeks projection, Kroupi already has big clubs watching. Pablo Pagis is the one most likely to gain visibility from the call‑up. The attacking midfielder of Paris FC has been standing out in French football but is not yet linked to a dispute between major European clubs. His inclusion in the Bleus raises his exposure, although there is no concrete indication of offers or negotiations at present.

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Eli Junior Kroupi’s situation is completely different. The Bournemouth striker already attracts interest from clubs such as Arsenal, Paris Saint‑Germain and Bayern Munich, as well as other English giants. He has a contract until 2030 and has been valued at more than 80 million pounds, roughly R$ 552 million. Therefore his call‑up does not create his market but adds a new seal to a player already closely monitored before reaching the senior squad.

Kumbedi’s rare selection

He was called to replace Marcus Thuram and could further raise his profile if he plays against Italy or Belgium. Zidane and Saël Kumbedi were seen at Clairefontaine during preparation for the Nations League games against Italy and Belgium. Kumbedi’s case is the most unusual, as the 21‑year‑old right‑back was selected after Pierre Kalulu’s withdrawal while playing for Wolfsburg in the German second division. This is notable because France rarely selects players outside the top tier; it is the first time since David Trezeguet and Jean‑Alain Boumsong in 2006‑07 that second‑division club players have been included in the senior squad.

Kumbedi still needs to turn the opportunity into minutes and continuity before any market impact can be measured. Nonetheless the call‑up already raises his profile compared with his situation in the 2. Bundesliga. Pagis, Kroupi and Kumbedi arrive via opposite paths: one still seeks to attract bigger clubs, another is already at the centre of a multimillion market, and the third tries to turn an unlikely call‑up into a career step. For all three, the FIFA date expands their showcase, but does not guarantee that it will automatically translate into a transfer.