RMC Sport - Why Thuram has not been called up by Zidane’s France: there is a double problem to solve with Inter too

According to reports by RMC Sport in France, "Tikus"' exclusion also came as a surprise to the player himself, who did not expect to be left out of a group he has been part of for some time.

That marks a different call from the decisions on, for example, Saliba and Tchouamenì, with the former injured and the latter short of his best form at Real Madrid, given the Inter striker is fully fit and available.

According to the French outlet, Zidane's decision comes down to two reasons. First, as mentioned, he wants to change things from Deschamps' call-ups. Thuram had been one of the most trusted players under the current national team manager.

There is also an issue that concerns Inter. Zidane believes Thuram is too inconsistent in front of goal, swinging from spells of prolific scoring to others of real ineffectiveness. His record with the national team stands at 3 goals in 32 appearances.

Meanwhile, Esteban Lepaul of Rennes is making his mark in Ligue 1 with 3 goals in 5 matches. It's no coincidence he has been called up to Clairefontain in Thuram's place.