When France national team manager Didier Deschamps released the official squad list for his team’s pair of UEFA Nations League fixtures in September, Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was seen as a notable omission from the group.
Areola has been a regular in France’s squad over the past three years. While he has only appeared in three total fixtures over this time period, Deschamps has relied on Areola to be a backup to starting goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But this time around, Bordeaux goalkeeper Benoit Costil was the one who got the nod to fill the backup goalkeeper role for France.
In a press conference on Monday (via Le Parisien), Deschamps provided his reasoning as to why Areola was not called up for international duty.
“Alphonse Areola, unfortunately for him, in his situation … he finished his loan with Real Madrid, and he has not been active since,” Deschamps said. “I hope for him that he will find a solution, at PSG or elsewhere, but I could not consider him available for this rally.”
Areola logged just nine appearances in all competitions for his loaned club in Real Madrid this past season.
As Deschamps alluded to, Areola is currently facing a career-altering dilemma regarding his club future. PSG does not view Areola as part of its plans for the upcoming season and is currently attempting to offload the goalkeeper. A permanent move away from PSG could benefit his career considering that he needs regular playing time in order to be considered by Deschamps as a backup goalkeeper option for the national team.
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