France v Italy - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD3 - Source: Getty
France v Italy - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD3 - Source: Getty
France v Italy - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A1 MD3 - Source: Getty
France coach Zinedine Zidane decided against inviting Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto to the national team due to his perceived defensive deficiency, as per reports. The former Real Madrid boss has overseen the national team for the first time this month, having been brought in after Didier Deschamps' exit.
According to L'Equipe (via Metro), Zidane and his coaching staff deliberately chose to leave Gusto out of the squad for the UEFA Nations League games in this window. They are unsatisfied with his defensive ability as a right-back, and they decided to have Jules Kounde and Pierre Kalulu as their options in the position. Gusto will be considered for a recall if he manages to improve defensively, according to the indications from Zidane.
Malo Gusto has been a regular for France since joining Chelsea, and has played 16 times for his country. Still only 23 years old, the versatile defender featured at the FIFA World Cup this summer, playing five times throughout the tournament as Les Bleus finished fourth.
Zidane overlooked Gusto and Wesley Fofana from Chelsea, while Maxence Lacroix received an invitation to play for Les Bleus and has appeared in all three games so far. Former Olympique Lyonnais defender Gusto has played at right-back and in central midfield for the Blues this season, and will hope to impress the France boss ahead of next month's international break.
Chelsea target suffers injury on international duty, returns to his club
Chelsea target Alex Scott has picked up a quadriceps tendon injury while on duty with England in the UEFA Nations League. The 23-year-old Bournemouth man played for the Three Lions in their wins over Czechia and Croatia, with England winning both games.
Scott has left the England camp after his injury, and could be out for between six and eight weeks. He felt discomfort in his thigh before the game, but he chose to play through the pain, having been named in the starting lineup for the first time with the national team.
Alex Scott delivered a fine display against Croatia, but will not play in the final game of this window against Czechia, and has returned to Bournemouth to commence rehabilitation. His suitors, particularly Chelsea, will be keeping a close watch on the situation, as they have been strongly linked with a move for him. A January transfer has not been ruled out, seeing as they have struggled in midfield so far this season.