Pogba tests positive for COVID-19
PARIS (AP):
FRANCE MIDFIELDER Paul Pogba was left out of the national team squad yesterday after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Manchester United player was replaced by 17-year-old Eduardo Camavinga for upcoming Nations League qualifiers against Sweden and Croatia.
“I had to make a change at the last minute because Paul Pogba was supposed to be in the squad,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Unfortunately for him, he had a test yesterday which was positive this morning.”
Camavinga made an immediate impression with Rennes last season, where he stood out in a win over French champions Paris SaintGermain despite being only 16.
He is one of three new faces, with Deschamps also calling up 22-year-old attacking midfielder Houssem Aouar and 21-year-old centre half Dayot Upamecano.
Aouar stood out for Lyon during their run to the Champions League semifinals, while Upamecano was among
Leipzig’s best players as they also reached the last four in Lisbon.
Deschamps also gave a surprise recall to Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who fell out with the coach after asking to be taken off the list of reserve players for the 2018 World Cup.
Anthony Martial regained his place in the squad following an impressive season with Manchester United, where he finished as the club’s co-topscorer with 17 Premier League goals. He last played for France in March 2018.
France travel to play Sweden near Stockholm on September 5 and then host Croatia at Stade de France three days later.
Squad: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Mike Maignan (Lille), Steve Mandanda (Marseille)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris SaintGermain), Clément Lenglet (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes), N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Steven Nzonzi (Rennes), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Houssem Aouar (Lyon)
Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Jonathan Ikoné (Lille), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)