5 players who might not make France's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad
Choosing a 23-man squad for the World Cup is an arduous task for every national team manager.
The French national team manager Didier Deschamps has a wealth of talent to choose from in ever position as the competition for places intensifies. With players spread across various leagues, the manager will be keeping a close eye on possible candidates in every position, although the process of elimination could leave a few players hurt and disappointed.
The former World Cup-winning captain and current manager, Didier Deschamps will face a tricky test while selecting his squad for the tournament. Here, we take a look at 5 players he might have to leave out of the final French World Cup squad:
#5 Dimitri Payet
30-year-old Marseille playmaker Dimitri Payet has not been the most influential player for the club this season, with only 7 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions, and his poor form this campaign could result in the Frenchman not getting picked for the World Cup squad.
Payet most recently scored in both legs of the UEFA Europa League round-of-16 against Athletic Bilbao to help Marseille through to the next round. The former West Ham player has made 37 appearances for the French national team and scored 8 goals.
However, it could be too late for the player with the competition for places intensifying as the likes of Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman all ahead of the player in the hunt for places.
Deschamps picked Payet for the 2016 Euro tournament after his stellar season with West Ham that season. However, the manager will now have to pick his squad based on the player's performances throughout the season, and Payet might not make the cut for this tournament.