UEFA Euro 2024: Strongest possible starting XI for France as Didier Deschamps names 25-man squad

France manager Didier Deschamps has named his 25-man squad for the 2024 UEFA European Championships. Les Bleus are one of the favourites to lift the title and have justified their credentials by selecting a formidable squad for the tournament.

The squad is headlined by superstars like Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Arsenal centre-back William Saliba. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Kylian Mbappe will once again lead the line, with his rumoured move to Real Madrid likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Having made only two appearances for France before the Euros, 18-year-old PSG wonder-kid Warren Zaire-Emery was surprisingly selected after an impressive campaign.

21-year-old PSG winger Bradley Barcola was named in Deschamps' squad, ahead of Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby, who has played a starring role in helping his side qualify for the Champions League.

Another highly surprising inclusion was that of 33-year-old Al-Ittihad midfielder N'Golo Kante, who has not featured for the national side since June 2022.

Notable absentees include Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku, Nice's Khephren Thuram, and PSG's Lucas Hernandez, who have all missed time this season due to injuries.

Deschamps, who is under contract until the FIFA World Cup 2026, has named a strong squad with a good balance of experience and youth. He has already led France to glory in the 2018 World Cup and a second-place finish in the 2022 edition, with the 2020-21 Nations League title sandwiched in the middle.

He will be leading the charge once again as France look to add to their trophy cabinet. However, what could be their strongest possible lineup at the tournament? Let's have a look:

Goalkeeper - Mike Maignan

After World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris' retirement from the national team in 2023, Maignan took over as the side's number one shot-stopper. He has arguably been one of the best goalkeepers in the world over the last few years, with an impressive record for club and country.

Maignan played an instrumental part in AC Milan's Serie A triumph in 2022 and France's second-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This season, he has 15 shutouts in 42 games for the Rossoneri, and will be looking to carry his incredible form into the tournament.

Right-back - Benjamin Pavard

After his career stalled for a brief period in the Bundesliga, Pavard made the move from Bayern Munich to Inter Milan for €30 million at the start of the season. Even though he missed time with a patellar tendon injury, he has bounced back admirably in 2023-24, with 15 clean sheets and three assists in 30 games for the Serie A Champions.

Pavard has been deployed as a centre-back, right-back, and right-midfielder for the national team, and has excelled in all three roles. He has been ever-reliable at the back in his 53 national team appearances, and will be a key member of the French defense in the upcoming Euros.

Centre-back - William Saliba

Arguably one of the best centre-backs in the world this season, Saliba will definitely be the defensive star in the French side. His impeccable performances in 2023-24 have inspired his Arsenal side, with the Gunners potentially on the verge of their first Premier League title in 20 years.

With 22 clean-sheets in 50 games, he has been one of the key contributors to Arsenal's success. He will be hoping to add to his 13 national caps at the 2024 Euros.

Centre-back - Ibrahima Konate

Konate has endured a topsy-turvy season with Liverpool, flitting in and out of the starting lineup. However, he did play the Carabao Cup final, and helped his side keep Chelsea goalless to lift the trophy with a 1-0 win after extra time.

The defender has already had experience of playing in the big moments, having played the full 90 minutes in France's 2-0 win over Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semifinal. He will have to bring his A-game to the table at the upcoming tournament, and will be expected to do the heavy lifting alongside Saliba in defense.

Left-back - Theo Hernandez

The most obvious pick in the French defense, Hernandez has been one of the best left-backs in the world for the past few years. Alongside Maignan, he was an integral cog of Milan's 2022 Serie A triumph, and has maintained that incredible level since.

Hernandez's offensive contributions are second to none, with five goals and 11 assists in 45 games this season. His blistering pace and crossing ability will be on full display for Les Bleus at the Euros.

Defensive midfield - Eduardo Camavinga

Camavinga has formed a formidable trio alongside Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park for Real Madrid this season. He has dominated opposition midfields with his physicality, tough-tackling and passing vision.

The midfielder is also extremely versatile, and can be deployed in almost any part of the pitch. He has made 43 appearances for Los Blancos this season, and has been vital to their La Liga title victory and their journey to the Champions League final.

Defensive midfield - Aurelien Tchouameni

Tchouameni suffered a stress injury to his left foot in the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich. According to reports, he is expected to miss the UCL final. However, the defensive midfielder has played an important part in Real Madrid's impressive season, with three goals and an assist in 38 appearances.

The 24-year-old is expected to be fit before France play their first game against Austria on June 17. If he does return, the double-pivot of Tchouameni and Camavinga will surely wreak havoc on opposition midfields.

Attacking midfielder - Antoine Griezmann

One of the most influential players in the French national team, Griezmann has been a consistent performer for Didier Deschamps throughout his tenure. He is a constant threat for Les Bleus' attack, and even showed his impeccable defensive capabilities at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The second most experienced player in the squad (127 caps, 44 goals), only behind Olivier Giroud (131 caps, 57 goals), he is also the fourth highest goalscorer of all time of the French men's national team. The onus will be on him to deliver yet again on the big stage and inspire his side to victory.

Right-winger - Ousmane Dembele

Dembele has been a force to be reckoned with in French colours. He has been a regular starter under Deschamps, having made 43 appearances for the national team since his debut in 2016.

Although he has had his injury concerns in the past, he has enjoyed an exceptional 2023-24 season, with five goals and 14 assists in 41 games for PSG. He will once again be expected to play an important complementary role in attack and take the game to the opposition defenses with his consummate ball control.

Striker - Marcus Thuram

Alongside Lautaro Martinez, Thuram was the focal point of Inter Milan's attack this season, powering the best offense in the Serie A. He has contributed 15 goals and 14 assists in 44 games this season, helping the Nerazzurri lift the league and Supercoppa Italiana double.

His aerial prowess, coupled with his explosive pace, smooth dribbling and deadly finishing, makes him the perfect striker for Deschamps' lineup.

Left-winger - Kylian Mbappe

Of course, no French lineup would be complete without arguably one of the best players in the world at the moment, Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has enjoyed yet another mind-blowing season, with 44 goals and 10 assists in 47 games this season for PSG.

At just 25 years of age, he is already the third highest goalscorer for France men's national team with 46 goals in 77 games. As the captain of the squad, there will be an added responsibility on his shoulders to take his nation back to the pinnacle of European football.

Here is the rest of the squad -

Goalkeepers - Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Brice Samba (RC Lens).

Defenders - Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid).

Midfielders - Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), N'golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG).

Attackers - Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich).