Camavinga could be asked to play shock role for France

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:56 CDT
• 3 min read

Eduardo Camavinga could be asked to play as a left-back for France, after Lucas Hernandez' ACL injury.

Hernandez suffered the injury in France's World Cup win over Australia and has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

His brother, Theo, is Les Bleus' only other left sided defender, meaning head coach Didier Deschamps could turn to Camavinga.

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And teammate Matteo Guendouzi backs the Real Madrid youngster to excel in the role, having played a friendly against Qatari first division side Al Gharafa.

''We well know that with Lucas’ injuries, we don’t have many players who can play left-back. We don’t have many left-footed players,'' he told RMC Sport.

''Camavinga played a little in this role during friendly match. He did very well and scored a brilliant goal, so that’s great. He’s got intensity, he can press.”

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In goal, captain Hugo Lloris, who lifted the famous trophy in Moscow four years ago, should continue.

At right-back, Benjamin Pavard, also part of the 2018 contingent, will continue and he will be joined by Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.

Joining them in defence will be Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernandez, with Camavinga an outside shot for the left-back position.

In midfield, replacing Pogba and Kante will be Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, both of whom have had fine starts to the campaign so far.

Going forward, there is all the talent: Antoine Griezmann has been a favourite of Deschamps and will take the role just behind the centre-forward, as he always has for France.

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On the left, Kylian Mbappe will star where he will be able to drift in to more central areas and come into more goalscoring positions.

On the right, Ousmane Dembele’s great form is hard to ignore and despite lacking in defensive contribution, he may be able to make a mark at the tournament this year.

Up top, due to Karim Benzema's absence, Olivier Giroud will look to continue his incredible goalscoring record.