Football: Deschamps hoping Thuram can be decisive for France

France head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed the key reason why he has handed forward Marcus Thuram a first call-up into the senior squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures. The son of former Les Bleus star Lillian has impressed for Borussia Mochengladbach this season and it’s his ability to be decisive in the biggest games which has impressed Deschamps the most. Injury-plagued Ousmane Dembele, who last appeared for France in November 2018, has been omitted again as he works his way back to full fitness for Barcelona. And Deschamps wanted to make it clear that the forward is still very much in his long-term plans, as well as justifying Dayot Upamecano’s omission due to stiff competition at centre back. Nabil Fekir has been included in France’s 26-man squad and Deschamps said it’s the forward’s unpredictability with the ball that makes him such an attractive option.