Christopher Nkunku (24) from RB Leizpig has been called up for the French national team for the first time. A former Bielefeld player is also included.
Nkunku is part of the 23-player line-up that national coach Didier Deschamps has nominated for the two friendlies against Ivory Coast (25 March in Marseille) and South Africa (29 March in Lille). “His range has broadened, he now plays not only on the wing but also sometimes in the centre or as a second striker,” Deschamps explained on Thursday. “He’s closer to goal now, which makes him even more dangerous. “
Nkunku is one of two players in the Equipe Tricolore squad for the first time. While Nkunku’s nomination had been expected, the second novice comes as a bit more of a surprise: ex-Bielefeld man Jonathan Clauss becomes a “late call-up” at the age of 29 and caps a remarkable rise: Clauss, who still played for SV Linx in the Verbandsliga Südbaden in 2015, has taken off after his move from Bielefeld to RC Lens in 2020 and is currently the third-best provider of assists in Ligue 1 with nine.
In total, the French star ensemble includes five players from the Bundesliga: In addition to Nkunku, the line-up also includes Bayern professionals Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard and Kingsley Coman as well as Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.
