Didier Deschamps opts not to select Real Madrid’s Benzema for France’s Euro 2016 squad

A host of Premier League stars made it to the France national squad as Didier Deschamps released the final roster of players for the European Championships set to commence a month from now.

With only a month to go before the proceedings for the Euro 2016 are kicked off against Romania at the Stade de France, Didier Deschamps has released his 23-man French squad that will fight for continental glory in front of their own fans. Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, who only made his debut for the French two months ago, has earned a spot in the squad owing to his fantastic performance through a title-clinching season with the Foxes. West Ham’s Dimitri Payet joins Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye and the now relegated Newcastle United’s, Moussa Sissoko in midfield for France.

Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud fly the Arsenal flag in the squad while ex-Gunner Bacary Sagna takes his spot alongside fellow citizen Eliaquim Mangala in defence. Fresh from a title challenge, Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris will lead his side to the Euros as the most experienced player in the lineup. Manchester United’s Anthony Martial will take his place up front in attack while his team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin misses out.

Full Squad :-

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Benoit Costil (Rennes)

Defenders: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Lucas Digne (Roma)

Midfielders: Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Lassana Diarra (Marseille), N’Golo Kante (Leicester), Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)

Attackers: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kingsley Coman (Bayer Munich), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres)

Big guns miss out on Euro ticket

Didier Deschamps had already said that Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema will not be considered due to his involvement in the Mathieu Valbuena blackmail case. Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho also wasn’t considered for selection following a doping violation charge. While the exclusion of the aforementioned players didn’t come as a major surprise, the omission of the likes of an in-form Alexandre Lacazette, Hatem Ben Arfa and Kevin Gameiro raised many eye-brows as the trio have been in terrific form for their respective clubs.

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who retired from international duty after missing the 2014 World Cup, hinted recently that he might make himself available for France again. Deschamps wasn’t having any of it as he chose to do away with the temptation of taking the temperamental Frenchman. Meanwhile there was no place for new Borussia Dortmund signing Ousmane Dembele as Les Bleus already had six forwards at their disposal in the squad. Uncapped Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has been rewarded for a strong season with the French champions by being named on standby along with Lyon centre back Samuel Umtiti, Lille full back Djibril Sidibe and Manchester United midfielder, Morgan Schneiderlin.