Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 9y

Nabil Fekir and Kurt Zouma named in France squad for friendlies

France coach Didier Deschamps has included Lyon's Nabil Fekir and Chelsea's Kurt Zouma in his squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Brazil and Denmark.

Forward Fekir has been a star of Lyon's challenge for the Ligue 1 title, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 25 league games this season.

The 21-year-old -- who could also have represented Algeria -- has won one under-21 cap for France, and Deschamps told reporters: "Fekir is a player with great potential.

"I consider that he can bring us something different. He plays in a different role to the others. He can score and set up others to score."

Fekir's family are from Algeria, and the France-born player had been included in the Algeria squad for their friendlies against Oman and Qatar before deciding that he wished to represent France.

Zouma joined Chelsea from Saint-Etienne in January, and the 20-year-old has also yet to win a senior cap for France.

He has represented his country at different youth levels, captaining the U-21 side.

Deschamps will be without Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who suffered a thigh injury in his side's 3-0 Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

France squad

Goalkeepers: Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Mandanda (Marseille), Ruffier (Saint-Etienne).

Defenders: Evra (Juventus), Jallet (Lyon), Koscielny (Arsenal), Sagna (Manchester City), Sakho (Liverpool), Trmmoulinas (Sevilla), Varane (Real Madrid), Zouma (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Gonalons (Lyon), Kondogbia (Monaco), Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Payet (Marseille), Schneiderlin (Southampton), Sissoko (Newcastle United).

Forwards: Benzema (Real Madrid), Fekir (Lyon), Giroud (Arsenal), Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Lacazette (Lyon), Valbuena (Dynamo Moscow).

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