France’s final training session before facing Turkey offered no full tactical rehearsal, but the shape of the evening pointed towards a bold selection call at the heart of the defence. Rayan Cherki is also in line to start, though in a deeper midfield role than the one he occupies at Manchester City.
Cherki set for a deeper France assignment
Zinédine Zidane kept the session largely centred on games rather than a formal pre-match team drill, yet several likely choices emerged.
- Cherki is expected to begin in central midfield as a No. 8 rather than in an advanced attacking position.
- Manu Koné would sit at the base of the midfield three.
- Adrien Rabiot is expected to operate on the left of that unit.
- Michael Olise should retain a place in the attacking line.
The former Lyon player’s role will be closely watched, with France appearing ready to use his creativity from a more withdrawn area of the pitch.
Mbappé left, Dembélé through the middle
The attacking arrangement is expected to confirm Kylian Mbappé’s switch to the left flank. Ousmane Dembélé would lead the line, while Olise takes the other attacking berth.
That would make the forward trio a fluid one, with Mbappé starting wide rather than centrally and Dembélé given responsibility as the focal point.
Jacquet pushing for a debut
The principal doubts remain in the back four. Jules Koundé is likely to continue at right-back, while Dayot Upamecano is expected to start in central defence. The question is who partners him.
Jérémy Jacquet could be handed his first start. The defender has impressed throughout the international camp and arrives in excellent form with Liverpool. Maxence Lacroix remains the other option beside Upamecano.
Left-back decision still open
Adrien Truffert and new call-up Andy Diouf are competing for the left-back place.
- Truffert has one France cap and currently appears to hold a narrow advantage.
- His more defensive profile could suit a flank occupied ahead of him by the attack-minded Mbappé.
- Diouf remains in contention, with no final decision confirmed.
Probable France line-up against Turkey
France are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defence: Jules Koundé, Jérémy Jacquet or Maxence Lacroix, Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Truffert or Andy Diouf
- Midfield: Rayan Cherki, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot
- Attack: Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé
