Maxence Lacroix injured and unavailable

Maxence Lacroix, a defender for Chelsea, suffered a hamstring injury during a League Cup match against Liverpool and will be unavailable for the upcoming French national team matches.

Lacroix's injury impacts team selection

Lacroix’s injury means he will miss the next two international matches for France, including the Nations League games against Italy and Turkey. He had been gaining regular selection in recent months, including a key role in the World Cup semifinal against Spain.

Zidane faces central defender shortage

Zinédine Zidane, the French team coach, will need to choose from available defenders like Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet, and Ibrahima Konaté to cover for Lacroix’s absence, as William Saliba is also injured and unavailable.

Potential replacements for Lacroix

Ismaëlo Ganiou, another possible option, is currently injured. Other candidates include Joane Gadou from Borussia Dortmund and Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig, both of whom have not yet been called up for the national team.

Lacroix expected to return before year-end

According to RMC, Lacroix is expected to return to action before the end of the year, but his absence for the next two matches is unavoidable.