Didier Deschamps has added Monaco’s Champions League hero Tiemoue Bakayoko to his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg and the friendly versus Spain after Paul Pogba was forced to pull out due to injury.
Pogba suffered a hamstring problem in Manchester United’s Europa League win over Rostov and will be out of action for an estimated two weeks.
The United man’s absence paved the way for Deschamps to call up a replacement and the 22-year-old Bakayoko is now in line for his senior France debut.
Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in Monaco’s 3-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday, which saw them progress to the last eight on away goals.
“Didier Deschamps has called up Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko following the withdrawal of Paul Pogba, with medical tests confirming he will be unavailable for 15 days,” a brief statement on the French Football Federation website read.
Tiémoué Bakayoko (@AS_Monaco) remplace Paul Pogba en Bleu!! C’est la 1ère fois que le milieu de terrain est appelé par D.Deschamps!pic.twitter.com/u23u1usNuy
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) March 18, 2017
Bakayoko has represented France at Under-21 level, but still awaits his first senior cap.
France travel to Luxembourg on March 25, before hosting Spain three days later.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SoccerNews
Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.
You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.