France Euro 2024 squad: Who will Didier Deschamps take to Germany?

Mike Maignan gave France an almighty scare when he came off just 20 minutes into AC Milan's Europa League clash with Slavia Prague in February, but the knee injury he suffered was not serious enough to keep him out of the March friendlies against Germany and Chile. He has since picked up another knock, though, and a thigh muscle injury sees him facing a race against time to be able to start the opener.

All being well, he will be Deschamps' No.1 at the Euros, having long since established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Indeed, he made a stunning save in Dublin during the qualifiers that earned his side three important points against Ireland.

West Ham's Alphonse Areola is Maignan's understudy, but Brice Samba of Lens, who started the 3-2 win over Chile, is also in contention for that role.

Deschamps rather pointedly stated that William Saliba has yet to produce his very best form for France but the Arsenal man should start in Germany and most likely alongside Ibrahima Konate if the Liverpool man can stay fit (by no means a certainty!).

Dayot Upamecano is obviously a decent alternative but he's barely playing at Bayern Munich right now, which is why the loss of the versatile Lucas Hernandez to injury is such a massive - if unsurprising - blow. Jules Kounde and Benjamin Pavard are two other options in the centre of defence, given they're also multi-talented defenders, as comfortable at right-back as they are in the middle.

When it comes to the full-back berths, Theo Hernandez is almost certain to start on the left-hand side, particularly now that his brother Lucas has been ruled out through injury, while Jonathan Clauss will push Jules Kounde for the right-back spot. Ferland Mendy - capable of playing on either side - is also back in the fold.

Elsewhere, the window of opportunity appears to have closed for Chelsea trio Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi. Jean-Clair Todibo is very highly rated but has also missed the cut.

Deschamps' preferred midfield three is now well-established. Adrien Rabiot has become a key player for France (and Juventus) over the past couple of years, and he will start in midfield alongside Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni - who has overcome injury in time to make it - and France's hybrid hero Griezmann, the ridiculously intelligent and industrious forward who was utilised as an auxiliary midfielder to great effect at Qatar 2022.

Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga provide quality back-up, while Warren Zaire-Emery is very much one to watch, with the prodigiously gifted PSG teenager having marked his international debut in November with a goal.

The surprise entrant here is N'Golo Kante, who has made an unlikely return to the fold despite practicing his craft in the Saudi Pro League. Warren Zaire-Emery has also snuck in.

He may be 37 now, but Giroud will spearhead the France attack, not least because Mbappe, France's star player, adores playing off the AC Milan No.9. However, Giroud does have competition for his starting spot. Marcus Thuram is enjoying a fine debut season in Serie A with Inter, and although Randal Kolo Muani hasn't exactly lived up to his lofty transfer fee, he is a club-mate of Mbappe at PSG and impressed against Chile.

If Kingsley Coman is fit - by no means a guarentee - he will be the favourite to play on the right wing over the maddeningly inconsistent Ousmane Dembele. Bradley Barcola, who has impressed in recent weeks for PSG, rounds out an interesting group of wingers.

Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby will both have to watch from home despite being in the conversation for a spot.

Maignan is the one certainty at the back but it would be a surprise if Saliba doesn't start - despite competition from Pavard. Konate should be the other centre-half, although Deschamps could go for the left-footed Lucas Hernandez with better balance in mind.

Theo Hernandez is unquestionably the best option at left-back and, rather tellingly, was picked for both group games against the Dutch, but it remains to be seen who plays on the opposite flank. Right now, Deschamps appears to favour Clauss over Kounde, who did not look comfortable against Chile, but Pavard is also a contender.

The midfield is almost certain to be made up of Tchouameni, Rabiot and Griezmann, who will be given licence to get forward and support Giroud, who will be flanked by speed demons Mbappe and Coman (fitness-permitting).

France XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Clauss, Saliba, Konate, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann; Coman, Giroud, Mbappe.

Lucas Hernandez was desperately unfortunate to tear his ACL less than two months before the Euros, in PSG's Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, while back-up midfielder Boubacar Kamara suffered the same injury back in February.

As already mentioned, Nkunku's hopes of being called up have also been hindered by persistent fitness problems since his switch to Stamford Bridge last summer, and Deschamps has elected to leave him at home. Michael Olise also misses out despite a strong end to the season for a revitalised Crystal Palace.

Paul Pogba definitely won't be there, that's for sure, with the midfielder hit with a four-year ban for failing a drugs test. The midfielder has 91 caps to his name and was a key player in the 2018 World Cup win in Russia - but, at 31, there is a real chance he'll never play for his country again.