FIFA World Cup 2018: France XI that will not be playing in Russia

Centre-backs: Laurent Koscielny and Mamadou Sakho

Koscielny and Sakho were key players for France four years ago in Brazil

Contrary to the fullback position, France is loaded in the heart of the defence. In fact, there are six centre-backs in the French squad and I still have to leave out the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Kurt Zouma and Dayot Upamecano from the excluded XI.

The reason I picked Laurent Koscielny and Mamadou Sakho is that these two players alternatively partnered Raphael Varane for France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and both players miss out this time around for different reasons.

Koscielny picked up an injury in the second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final tie against eventual Champions Atletico Madrid. It was later confirmed that he ruptured his Achilles and will be out of action for the year. That being said, even if he was fit, it would have been extremely difficult for him to make the squad given his dip in form this season.

Sakho though was a player Deschamps rated very highly but he missed the Euro in 2016 after failing a drug test while playing for Liverpool. His Liverpool career also ended soon after a fall out with Jurgen Klopp. His career was in a limbo last summer as his potential suitors were limited and Liverpool’s asking price was quite high. Eventually, he signed for Crystal Palace and helped them avoid relegation.

However, he had his share of injury problems this season and hadn’t played for France since making a solitary appearance in 2016 which made it even more difficult for Deschamps to name him in the 23-man squad. He has been named in the reserve squad nevertheless.

Other notable exclusions: Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) and Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)