Pablo Pagis France national team call-up, Digi Mart USA News: Zinedine Zidane has named 23 players for France’s final two group-stage matches of the UEFA Nations League, against Italy on November 12 and Turkey on November 15. The squad announcement on Friday also included returns for Aurélien Tchouameni, Malo Gusto and Marcus Thuram, with France able to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The most notable inclusion is Pablo Pagis, 23, of Paris FC. He takes the place of Maghnès Akliouche, who was ruled out with an injury sustained over the weekend.
Paris FC had not placed a player with the France squad since 1973, when Louis Floch and Jean-Paul Rostagni were selected.
Pagis came through the Stade Rennais academy and had spells at Nîmes and Lorient before joining Paris FC. He progressed through the National 2 and Ligue 2 before establishing himself in Ligue 1.
Last season with Lorient he scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in the top flight.
Since moving to Paris FC this summer, the attacking midfielder has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in nine matches this season. He has been one of the key contributors to the club’s strong start and is described as a creative playmaker capable of controlling the tempo.
Asked at a press conference about the surprise selection, Zidane said Pagis was chosen because of Akliouche’s injury, but that Pagis had already been in the extended list and was a player he wanted to observe. “He is a interesting player with a different profile, and this gathering is an excellent opportunity to assess him,” Zidane said.
Pagis faces competition in a deep attacking group that includes Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola and Marcus Thuram. Zidane said he did not plan to select only veterans or only newcomers, and that Pagis’s playing time would depend on circumstances.
“I don’t yet know how it will go, but he is here,” the coach said.
