France has announced its official football squad for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The nation’s U-21 manager and Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry
named the provisional squad on Monday.
The list features Premier League stars Michael Olise and
Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and PSG’s young
talent Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola have also secured their spots on
the team.
Here is the full provisional squad:
Goalkeepers:
Lucas Chevalier, Obed Nkambadio, Guillaume Restes, Robin
Risser
Defenders:
Bafodé Diakité, Mazime Esteve, Bradley Locko, Castello
Lukeba, Kiliann Sildillia, Adrien Truffert, Leny Yoro
Midfielders:
Maghnes Akliouche, Joris Chotard, Desiré Doué, Manu Koné,
Enzo Millot, Khephran Thuram, Lesley Ugochukwu, Warren Zaïre-Emery
Attackers:
Bradley Barcola, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Alexandre Lacazette,
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Michael Olise, Mathys Tel
However, it has been reported that players like Malo Gusto,
Benoit Badiashile and William Saliba were blocked from being selected by their
clubs.
The Mirror reports that Chelsea blocked Henry from selecting
Gusto and Badiashile as incoming boss Enzo Maresco wants extra time to
implement his style of play ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, Lesley Ugochukwu was allowed to go as he looks to
gain some much-needed minutes after an injury-hit 23/24 campaign.
Arsenal also reportedly blocked Saliba’s participation in
the Olympics since he is also set to feature for France in the upcoming Euro
2024 tournament in Germany.
Before the squad was announced, there were rumours that
Kylian Mbappe could be included.
French President Emmanuel Macron had last month said he
hoped Mbappe would be freed up by his likely future club Real Madrid to take
part in the tournament in France.
“I’m counting on Real Madrid to free up Kylian for the
Olympic Games so he can come play with the French team,” Macron said in a video
posted on X, formerly Twitter.
However, when Henry spoke about the matter regarding the
soon-to-be Real Madrid star, he said, “The person I spoke to at Real Madrid
about the Olympic Games was very straightforward with me.”