Live from the headquarters of the French Football Federation (FFF) this Friday, Zinédine Zidane will reveal to the world the names of the players set to kick off his era at the helm of the French national team. This is an opportunity for the legendary number 10 to mark a break with his predecessor, Didier Deschamps, and to bring in fresh blood to a squad already focused on the aim of Euro 2028.

Here, Get French Football News profile five players who could well benefit from this revival to earn their first call-up for France.

Stade Rennais FC’s biggest ever sale. Having joined Liverpool FC this summer for a fee of around €64m, Jérémy Jacquet already seems to have won over England.

Having started in five of the Reds’ first six matches since the start of the season (he also played 45 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the EFL Cup), the left-sided centre-back has established himself as Virgil van Dijk’s natural partner at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

But for Ligue 1 followers, this rise to prominence comes as no surprise whatsoever. And at just 21 years of age, the time seems to have already come for him to take the next step up.

Ismaëlo Ganiou – RC Lens

The hardest thing when faced with several choices is undoubtedly making one. Zidane is no exception to this rule. For whilst Les Bleus’ current defence appears well-stocked, a golden generation of young talent seems determined to shake up the pecking order. Ismaëlo Ganiou is, in fact, one such example.

A product of the RC Lens youth academy, the Franco-Burkinabe player had to leave the nest (he was transferred to Calcio Padova and loaned to FC Annecy) to embark on his professional career. And it was on his return, a year later, that he finally had the opportunity to showcase the full extent of his talent.

Integrated into Pierre Sage’s system at the start of winter 2025, Ganiou has been a fixture ever since, establishing himself as one of the great prospects in his position and, above all, a key player for Les Sang et Or despite his young age.

Dayann Methalie – Sunderland AFC

The story of his transfer has taken centre stage as one of the summer’s biggest sagas. But after many twists and turns, Dayann Methalie (20) has finally been given the green light to move to England.

A promising left-back – a position where ‘different’ players are few and far between – the former Toulouse FC player quickly showcased his speed and power, fuelling the wildest of dreams. Some had even tipped him for a place in Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup. That was not to be, but for Methalie, the big leap to the French national team actually seems nothing less than the logical next step.

And even though his start with Sunderland AFC has been particularly tentative (one appearance out of a possible six), there is no doubt that seeing him play for Les Bleus is now only a matter of time.

Andy Diouf – Inter Milan

Change is sometimes synonymous with renewal. Just ask Andy Diouf (23). Having established himself as a dynamic midfielder, capable of breaking through defences, during his spells at FC Basel and RC Lens, the 23-year-old has completely reinvented himself at Inter Milan, where he joined last summer.

This has been particularly evident since his repositioning as a right-sided attacking midfielder in Cristian Chivu’s system. No one, least of all himself, had ever imagined him playing such a role. And perhaps even fewer would have expected him to thrive in it so thoroughly.

Powerful, skilful, quick and adept at using his ‘weaker foot’ (he cuts inside onto his left foot to sow doubt in the opponent’s mind), Diouf has, in the space of a few weeks, come into his own in unexpected ways. So much so that he is now a credible candidate for a place in Zidane’s France squad.

Estéban Lepaul – Stade Rennais FC

The story of Estéban Lepaul (26) is that of a player who was still playing in the third tier just two and a half years ago. That of a goalscorer who, after not being retained by Olympique Lyonnais, the club where he came through the ranks, had to fend for himself and create his own opportunities to make his mark in the ruthless world of football. And it has certainly paid off for him.

Now aged 26, and following a 2025-26 season in which he was crowned Ligue 1’s top scorer (21 goals), Lepaul now seems closer than ever to a place in the France squad. It is yet another milestone for a player who continues to reach new heights; Lepaul has navigated the transition from the modest SCO Angers to the ambitious Stade Rennais FC with ease, having made his European debut with the latter this season.

The door to Les Bleus now stands before him. And the striker dreams of pushing it open.

GFFN | Léo Aschi