Zinedine Zidane has named Jeremy Jacquet in his first France squad for the Nations League matches against Belgium, Italy and Turkey. It is the Liverpool player's first senior international call-up after he played more than 30 times for France across various age groups.
Jacquet, 21, is one of five recognised central defenders in the squad. Ibrahima Konate, who the summer signing has replaced as a partner to Virgil van Dijk this season, is also included. Dayot Upamecano and Maxence Lacroix keep their places from this summer's World Cup squad. William Saliba, though, still has a back injury.
Zidane spoke about Jacquet in a press conference on Friday after the squad announcement. The new head coach said: "I like his profile a lot. I've followed him for a long time because he played alongside my son in the youth teams."
Jacquet played 14 times in total with Zidane's youngest son, Elyaz, across the under-17s, under-18s, under-19s and under-20s. A first senior cap could also follow over the coming weeks.
Zidane looks set to rotate his team through their four fixtures, saying: "They are players who deserve to be here, players I want to see. Everyone will be involved."
France selected 20 fewer players than Germany for this international break, with Zidane explaining: "I didn't want to see players sitting in the stands." There is also no place for N'Golo Kante, which the coach says is "to help this team evolve".
Karim Benzema also does not make the cut despite Zidane's admiration, having coached the striker at Madrid. He explained: "He's a certain age, a bit like N'Golo, I need to see younger players and what we will do together."
Zidane also said: "What inspires me is the game. I want to see these players and this team playing."
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Therefore, it sounds like there will be no 'break' for Jacquet over these three weeks. The defender has played more minutes than all but two of his team-mates (Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez) in Liverpool's first six fixtures this season.
After the Ipswich Town match, Reds boss Andoni Iraola said: "Jeremy played his first full game. Physically, he could not finish the first two games.
"Today, there was a moment in the second half when I had a doubt, but I think he has to suffer and go through those periods. He finished the game well and will slowly keep building fitness."
Source: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk — Read the original article
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