Didier Deschamps still unconvinced by Alexandre Lacazette as France boss sticks with World Cup-winning forwards

Lacazette has had a key role in Arsenal's nine-match winning streak.
REUTERS
Tony Mogan9 October 2018

France manager Didier Deschamps insists Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette must maintain his current form if he is going to force his way back into the national team picture.

Lacazette, 27, finished his first season in English football last term with 17 goals in all competitions but was left out of the France squad that went on to win the World Cup in Russia.

Les Blues are back in Uefa Nations League action during the international break with Deschamps opting for the same set of forwards that served under him at the World Cup in Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele and Florian Thauvin for games against Iceland and Germany.

Despite scoring four goals and providing two assists in five Premier League starts, Lacazette is still to earn himself a recall with Deschamps admitting the former Lyon striker is still further down the pecking order than his World Cup-winning options.

“It is true that he is having a good early season where he is efficient and effective,” Deschamps told reporters this week.

“There is competition in this position and for the moment the players I selected for the World Cup, I continue to rely on them.

“It is not a question of profile, but I am not going to pick multiple players in the same position. It is also necessary to have a balanced squad and he is a central attacker.

“This does not take away the credit for what he does. He must continue.”

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