France starts post-Griezmann era amid Mbappé controversy

Antoine Griezmann has retired from France duty. Kylian Mbappé is absent, nursing a minor thigh injury in Madrid.

Ahead of Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium, France’s leadership is scarce.

"The lack of experience doesn't help," France coach Didier Deschamps admitted this week.

Mbappé is France’s usual captain while Griezmann, who surprisingly announced the end of his international career last month, was the vice-captain. Together, they led France to the 2018 World Cup title and were Deschamps’ most influential players in recent years.

Deschamps has yet to announce who will wear the captain’s armband for the upcoming matches.

"The end of Antoine's international career and Kylian's absence, that leaves room,” Deschamps said. "The group is obviously younger, with less experience."

For sure, the armband won’t be going to veteran midfielder N'Golo Kanté. He was left out of the squad because of an adductor injury. Neither will experienced defender Dayot Upamecano, who has 27 caps for France but had to withdraw from the squad with a right thigh injury.

Deschamps said he will choose among players who are capable of taking on the responsibility of captaincy, without it altering their behavior, or diminishing their level of performance.

Following a mediocre European Championship where it reached the semifinals without playing well, France is in need of good and convincing results. Its previous Nations League matches were not reassuring, in defeats to Italy and Belgium.

Italy has a three-point lead over France and Belgium in their group after two rounds. France plays Israel on Thursday and travels to Belgium four days later.

Mbappé, who has 48 goals for France, failed to score against Italy and Belgium and Deschamps later said he had not been his usual self during the international break.

After the Real Madrid forward went on as a substitute in Real Madrid's 1-0 loss at Lille last week, his omission from Deschamp’s squad came as a surprise. And that surprise turned into controversy when the Tricolors captain started a Spanish league game for Madrid following his omission from the France squad, amid sharp criticism from fans.

Deschamps insisted that Real Madrid is Mbappé’s employer, not the French Football Federation, and he took the best option to avoid putting the striker in a delicate position.

"I know very well that he's not going to go against his club," Deschamps said. "You have to do what's in the player's best interests without putting him in difficulty."

Deschamps is hoping his rejuvenated squad will bring an extra dose of enthusiasm that has been lacking in France's previous outings.

"You have to channel everything," he said. "There is an emotional aspect, managing the emotions will be important."

Asked for his views on what makes a good leader, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté said, "It's something you are born with."

Konaté added he was "saddened" by Griezmann's decision to retire. "He was a typical example of a leader."

Now that the way is clear for someone to take his place, Konaté said he could see himself taking over and mentioned the names of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, defender Jules Koundé and Aurélien Tchouaméni as possible new leaders.

"A leader,” Konaté said, "has to be there when things go wrong."

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer