France opt against calling up a replacement for Karim Benzema
The Real Madrid striker dropped out of the World Cup on Saturday
Didier Deschamps has decided not to call anyone else for the World Cup, despite the fact that Karim Benzema's forced withdrawal due to injury allowed him to. Names like Ben Yedder or Martin Terrier were rumoured as possible replacements, the France coach is left with 25 players.
It should be remembered that after replacing Nkunku with Kolo Muani, he also called up Marcus Thuram. Therefore, Barcelona's Ousmane Dembélé's role could grow in Qatar.
"I have never given up, but I have to think about the team, as I always have, so reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our group have a great World Cup," Benzema wrote on Instagram on Saturday.
That's where the 'Mosquito' comes in. The Barça winger has only started 10 times for France but has won 28 caps with his country since he made his debut in 2016. Six of them, however, have been in unofficial matches.
His goalscoring participation is quite poor with four goals and one assist, all in friendlies except one goal against Kazakhstan in qualifying for the World Cup. An injury cut short his participation at Euro 2020, so in Qatar he has a golden opportunity.
Giroud, the alternative
Some media in France speculate on Dembele now starting, although there is also the option of Giroud, a pure '9' who always filled in while Karim was punished for the 'Valbuena case'.
In fact, the current Milan striker is two goals away from drawing level with Thierry Henry, the all-time top scorer for 'Les Bleus' (51). Be that as it may, France have to face another setback due to injury.
