Euro 2024

Ibrahima Konate recalled to France squad, Axel Disasi dropped

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 05 October 2023

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is recalled to the France squad for October's international fixtures, but Chelsea's Axel Disasi fails to make the cut.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has made an expected return to the France squad for October's clashes with the Netherlands and Scotland.

The 24-year-old was forced to pull out of September's games with a thigh injury, but he has been back in action for Jurgen Klopp's side over the past couple of weeks.

Konate has predominantly been used from the start in the EFL Cup and Europa League, with Joel Matip preferred alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Klopp's defence in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, the former RB Leipzig man finds himself back in Didier Deschamps's selection for this month's fixtures, while there is also a return for Marseille right-back Jonathan Clauss.

Konate's recall means that Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo - the man who replaced him last month - is cut from the ranks, while Chelsea's Axel Disasi has been dropped in favour of Clauss.

There are few surprises elsewhere in Deschamps's selection, but N'Golo Kante, Warren Zaire-Emery and Moussa Diaby are among the notable absentees from the 23-strong group.

France have won each of their first five Euro 2024 qualifying matches to open up a six-point lead over the Netherlands - who they face in Amsterdam on October 13 - at the top of Group B.

Following their showdown with Oranje at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Les Bleus welcome Scotland to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille for a friendly on October 17.

FRANCE SQUAD IN FULL:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)