Zinedine Zidane considers four surprise France call-ups

Zinedine Zidane is preparing to name his first France squad, with four players emerging as surprise candidates for the team’s Nations League fixtures later this month and in October.

France are scheduled to face Turkey on 25 September, Belgium on 29 September, Italy on 2 October and Belgium again on 5 October, this time on home soil.

Although Zidane is unlikely to abandon all of the foundations established by his predecessor Didier Deschamps, the first names included in his preliminary plans suggest the new manager may be ready to look closely at players who have impressed in Ligue 1.

According to Foot Mercato, Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul has received his first preliminary call-up for France after a notable run of form.

The 26-year-old finished last season as Ligue 1’s leading scorer with 21 goals and has continued at the same level at the start of the current campaign, scoring three times in three matches.

Lepaul has never played in a European competition. He will make his first appearance in the Europa League with Rennes this season, but his performances in Ligue 1 have attracted Zidane’s attention.

He is not the only player in line for an initial opportunity. L’Equipe reports that Pablo Pagis has also received his first preliminary call-up to the France squad, despite having no European experience.

The 23-year-old left-winger came through Rennes’ academy and scored 10 goals, while providing five assists, in Ligue 1 last season with Lorient.

Pagis joined Paris FC during the summer transfer window and has already established himself as a regular starter. He supplied an assist against Olympique de Marseille in the previous round, helping Paris FC to a 3-2 victory and underlining the importance Zidane appears to place on performances in the French top flight.

Lens defender Ismaelo Ganiou is another player to have been included in Zidane’s preliminary selection in recent hours.

The 21-year-old has become a dependable Ligue 1 defender in less than a year. In recent months, he decided not to continue representing Burkina Faso, for whom he had made one international appearance, and instead opted to join the France youth set-up.

Competition for his position is fierce, particularly with Jeremy Jacquet continuing his impressive rise at Liverpool. However, Ganiou could quickly enter contention for a senior place if he maintains his form during Lens’ Champions League campaign.

Andy Diouf has also been handed his first preliminary call-up to the France senior team after making a strong start to the season as a right winger for Inter Milan.

The question now is whether any of the four players can progress beyond the preliminary stage and secure a place in Zidane’s final squad.