Aurélien Tchouaméni named new captain of the Blues to face Israel this Thursday in Budapest

A seulement 24 ans, Tchouaméni fait déjà figure de jeune cadre chez les Bleus avec 36 sélections. dpa – Tom Weller

Le milieu de terrain du Real Madrid étrennera, pour sa 37e sélection, le brassard en l'absence de Kylian Mbappé et de cadres comme N'Golo Kanté.

In the absence of Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni will wear the captain's armband for the French team this Thursday, October 10, against Israel in Budapest, during the 3rd day of the Nations League, the FFF announced on Wednesday. The Real Madrid midfielder will be marking out his new role by accompanying Didier Deschamps, his coach, at the eve-of-match press conference this Wednesday afternoon.

Preferred to Maignan and Koundé

Along with goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Jules Koundé, Tchouaméni, 24, was among the potential substitutes for Mbappé, his teammate at the Merengue, who is out of action during the international window with the French team, during which the Blues will face Israel and then Belgium.

A match against a backdrop of tension in Middle East

N'Golo Kanté, usually captain when Mbappé is absent, is also out due to a minor adductor problem. Adrien Rabiot, not called up, and Dayot Upamecano, injured with Bayern Munich, are also unable to take their place. Tchouaméni will become the 132nd captain in the history of Les Bleus on Thursday.

Second in Group B behind Italy, France faces Israel in Hungary (Thursday, 8:45 p.m.) due to the conflicts in the Middle East, and Belgium in Brussels on Monday, October 14 (8:45 p.m.).