What's Happening?
Hugo Ekitike, who recently joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million, has been excluded from the French national team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Despite scoring in each of his first three games for Liverpool, including the Community Shield and Premier League matches, France manager Didier Deschamps has not included him in the squad. Instead, Monaco midfielder Maghnes Akliouche has received his first call-up. Ekitike's exclusion comes as France prepares to face Ukraine and Iceland in September.
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Why It's Important?
Ekitike's omission from the French squad highlights the competitive nature of international team selections, even for players performing well at club level. This decision may impact Ekitike's international career aspirations and could influence his motivation and performance at Liverpool. The inclusion of Akliouche suggests a focus on midfield strength for France, potentially affecting team dynamics and strategy in the upcoming qualifiers.
What's Next?
Ekitike will continue to focus on his club performance with Liverpool, aiming to maintain his scoring streak and prove his worth for future national team selections. France will proceed with their current squad for the qualifiers, and Deschamps' decision will be scrutinized based on the team's performance against Ukraine and Iceland.
