France national team coach Zidane held a press conference to announce his first squad since taking office and answered media questions on site. This article is the third part of the press conference.

Hello, Mr. Zidane. We noticed that you did not call up N'Golo Kanté, who previously missed the World Cup. Did you communicate with him before announcing the squad? In your opinion, has the 35-year-old N'Golo Kanté ended his career with the French national team?

Yes, to put it briefly, no, I did not call up N'Golo Kanté. It is indeed a tactical choice and a matter of team planning. At this moment, I believe that in order to move this team forward, I need to use some other players, but this in no way questions N'Golo Kanté's abilities and qualities. His contribution to the French national team is enormous. He is a great player, and one I greatly admire as well. Although I never had the opportunity to communicate with him face to face in the past, I would like to take this opportunity to express my highest respect for his past contributions, his professional attitude, and his role as an exemplary player.

However, this is a choice we make in competitive sports. This is my first training camp since becoming a coach. As you mentioned, N'Golo is already 35 years old, and I hope to work as coach of this French national team for four years. Therefore, I made this decision—these are some new, forward-looking choices.

Hello, Mr. Zidane. We noticed that Aurélien Tchouaméni is also among the players not included in the squad. When selecting players, what was the reason for the different decisions between him and Camavinga?

Regarding Aurélien's situation, I think this is what I emphasized in my opening remarks at the press conference. He is a player who has been injured for almost two full months. Currently he has only 180 minutes of playing time, and he has been in the starting lineup only once. From the perspective of his personal recovery from injury and regaining his fitness, I think it is more reasonable and appropriate to keep him in Madrid, because we have four extremely important consecutive matches ahead.

Moreover, while this is my first official training camp for the national team, it is certainly not his first call-up. Therefore, whether it is to protect the player's physical health or from the perspective of training rhythm, allowing him to stay at his club for systematic preparation and training is the best choice for him at this moment.

Hello, Zinedine. For this training camp, you called up Maxence Lacroix. Over the past year, he has achieved a career leap—not only did he join a major European club in the summer transfer window this year, but he has also now received his first call-up to the French national team. How do you assess his rapid development during this period? What technical qualities impress you the most about him?

Yes, Lacroix is a very good player. Like other outstanding players, he has been on our national team's radar. As you mentioned, he joined a top club this summer and quickly established himself in the starting lineup. His technical characteristics are very attractive, and as a left-footed player, he also brings considerable tactical value to our defense. Overall, I think he has the ability and mental qualities to establish himself in the French national team and play quality matches. Calling him up is one of my clear decisions after careful consideration.

Good evening, Zinedine. In recent years, the tactical style of the French team seems to have drifted somewhat—the overall style is too attacking, but the midfield has shown a lack of creativity. This is somewhat similar to the dilemma faced when Paul Pogba was in the team. In your opinion, is a reorganization and restructuring of the midfield the biggest problem facing this national team?

No, no, no, I do not think that at all. To be honest, I believe my job is to inherit and build upon past successes. Of course, I have my own coaching philosophy, and there may be differences in some concepts compared to other coaches, there is no doubt about that. But regarding the current situation of the French team, I disagree with your suggestion of a "restructuring." There is no huge project that needs to be rebuilt from scratch.

If you look at recent performances, although there have been ups and downs, the French team has overall performed quite well. Therefore, the midfield is certainly not a disaster zone that requires a complete overhaul. We simply need to guide this team with a new tactical perspective and training method, and that is my next goal—to work with all the players selected for this training camp to collectively create a new tactical atmosphere.

Good evening, Zinedine. Among the forwards, Esteban Ocon received his first call-up to the national team. Why did you decide to call him up? What impressed you about Esteban? What do you appreciate and like about him?

His tactical style is different from the players we usually see. To be honest, I personally value players who are skilled at breaking down defenses in tight spaces, because when facing teams that play with a low block, defending deep with compact formations, this technical characteristic will have great tactical value.

In short, he is a very attractive player to me, and I want to observe him up close. I have been paying attention to him before, and the team has also systematically analyzed his game footage. He has a strong goal-scoring ability, so now I simply want to bring him closer and observe his play in person.

Good evening, Zinedine. In the announced squad, you classified Warren Zaïre-Emery as a midfielder. Does this mean that in your tactical plan he will be established at the midfielder position, or do you think he also has the tactical potential to play at the left-back position?

No, since I included him in midfield, the reason is simple—I intend to use him as a midfielder. In fact, the position classification in this official squad list truly reflects my tactical vision. It is similar to the situation with Andy Duff: Duff currently plays for Inter Milan, and his tactical role at the club may differ, but in my national team system, I clearly plan to use him as a left-back, and that is my consideration.

Переведено ИИ.

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