France manager Didier Deschamps has offered a vague explanation to Kylian Mbappe's shock absence from the Bleus squad for this month's UEFA Nations League fixtures with Italy and Israel.
The 25-year-old has been omitted from a Bleus selection for the second month running, having not been summoned by Deschamps for October's wins over Israel and Belgium after just recovering from an injury.
Mbappe is now fully fit once again and has played the full 90 minutes in each of Los Blancos' last three games, although he has failed to find the back of the net in that time and has only registered one assist in his last 270 minutes of football.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star also became embroiled in an alleged rape case in Sweden during the October international period, although he vehemently denies the accusations made against him.
In spite of his problems on and off the field, the attacker's unexpected absence from the national team setup has sent shockwaves around France, and Deschamps told the media that it was simply a one-off choice when asked why Mbappe was not selected.
Deschamps insists Mbappe decision is not due to rape allegations
© Imago
The Bleus boss also affirmed that Mbappe "wanted to come" to the national team setup and refuted suggestions that the allegations of rape played a part in his decision, stating that the Real Madrid star must be considered innocent until proven guilty.
"It's my responsibility to make decisions. I think it's better that way. I'm not going to argue," Deschamps told journalists. "What I can tell you are these two things.
"One, Kylian wanted to come. Two, it's not the extra sporting problems that come into play since the presumption of innocence exists and must exist. It's a one-off choice for this gathering."
In Mbappe's absence, the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Christopher Nkunku will shoulder the goalscoring burden for France, and the former shone in the absence of his captain last month.
Kolo Muani, who has been linked with a January loan move to the Premier League, scored both of France's goals in their 2-1 triumph over Belgium last month, having also provided an assist in the 4-1 crushing of Israel.
Any other surprises in the France squad?
© Imago
Mbappe's absence from the ranks will no doubt dominate the headlines, but amid the reaction to the attacker's shock snub, congratulations are in order for Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
The 23-year-old has taken Alphonse Areola's place in the shot-stopping department, and there is no place in the selection for injured Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who is banned after his red card against Belgium anyway.
Instead, Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot has been called up for November's double-header, which sees France take on Israel at the Stade de France on November 14, three days before they face Italy at San Siro.
Les Bleus sit second in League A Group 2 of the Nations League with nine points, one worse off than leaders Italy, and Deschamps's men can still be knocked out of the top two by Belgium if they lose both of their games this month.
France squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio Rome), N'Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
Ben Knapton
