France Pick Ekitike Despite the injury, Mateta receives the first senior call for the World Cup qualifications

France has selected Hugo Ekitike from their team for the Qualifications of the Les Bleus World Cup with Azerbaijan and Iceland, despite the fact that Liverpool suffered an injury on Tuesday.

Ekitike was forced while Liverpool underwent a second successive defeat, following his defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League with a reverse 1-0 against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Speaking after the defeat in Istanbul, the Liverpool boss said about Ekitike: “” He felt something when he had to reach the ball, “added the slot machine.” I think we all know what it was when we were trying to force something.

“I think that at the time, on the other side, there was also someone on the ground, so the referee whistled and I didn’t even think we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.

“After the match, it’s always the difficult thing with these moments when players have the impression that it is not too bad, but when you walk, it is something different from that of your sprint or that you have to shoot the target.

“He said he could not continue, so we had to remove it. Let’s see how he is for the weekend (against Chelsea).”

Ektike call could concern Liverpool

Ekitike obtained his first call from France in the previous series of international lights after Rayan Cherki withdrew by an injury.

He has been in good shape since he joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring five goals and recording a decisive pass.

But his appeal can be a concern for Liverpool, France having been criticized by Paris Saint-Germain for having pretended to have failed the advice concerning the workloads of Ballon d’or Ousmane Dembele and Doute Doue, both injured during the international break of September.

None of this pair has played for PSG since then.

France Hand Mateta Call-Up

If France does not hold Ekitike, then Jean-Philippe Mateta could have a roll to play, the Blues having added the palace forward to their depths of attackers.

Mateta played for France at the level of under 19 and under 21 and won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but before now, a senior call had escaped him.

Didier Deschamps, however, was clearly impressed by the Fort start to the Mateta season for the Eagles, undefeated in the Premier League.

Mateta already has two league goals in his name and was unhappy not to add to this count, because Palace won a late victory over Liverpool last weekend.

Squad de France in full:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano

Fields: Camavonga Educator, Michael, Michael, Adrien Rabiot, Thuram

Aggressor: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barkko, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekikike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Christopher Nkunku.