We're inching ever closer to Euro 2020, so managers will certainly be starting to put together their squads for the biggest event of the summer, and France boss Didier Deschamps is no different.
As the reigning world champions, there is a real pressure on France to perform at Euro 2020, while Les Bleus will also be keen to avenge their loss to Portugal in the 2016 final. They will need a strong squad, but fortunately, they have perhaps the deepest talent pool around right now.
There's plenty of football left to be played, but if Deschamps had to decide on his squad today, here are 23 players who would be confident of earning a spot on the plan.
23. Jonathan Ikoné
The Lille midfielder made his international breakthrough in late 2019, so Deschamps is clearly keeping an eye on him, and his impressive recent form will certainly have helped his push for a spot.
Unfortunately for Ikoné, the attacking midfield role could be the most overcrowded position in Les Bleus' squad, so he cannot afford to take his foot off the gas pedal.
22. Mike Maignan
Alphonse Aréola's decision to accept a reserve role at Real Madrid this season has opened the door for Lille goalkeeper Maignan to snatch a seat on the plane.
It's by no means a guarantee, but it's looking good.
21. Ferland Mendy
It's all looking good for Mendy at Real. His defensive prowess has earned plenty of praise and should see him move ahead of Everton's Lucas Digne in the pecking order.
However, he has recently been made to battle with Marcelo for minutes, and he certainly cannot afford to spend too much time on the bench going forward.
20. Olivier Giroud
Deschamps' love for Giroud is about as strong as José Mourinho's love of complaining, but that affection will certainly be tested this summer.
Giroud has hardly played for Chelsea this year - can Deschamps justify including him again?
19. Nabil Fekir
A regular squad player for France over the years, Fekir still looks in impressive form with Real Betis, so his chances of making the team are looking good.
He almost certainly won't start - he's started just twice in his international career - but that's not the point. It's all about that sweet, sweet rotation.
18. Corentin Tolisso
Tolisso has struggled to hold down a place in Bayern Munich's side this year, but he remains a saint in Deschamps' eyes.
That's enough to move him into this middle-of-the-pack territory. He's not sat at the front of the plane, but he's still there somewhere.
17. Tanguy Ndombele
France have so many fantastic central midfielders. On the outskirts of that group is Ndombele, who usually has to settle for a role on the bench.
Some impressive performances with Tottenham Hotspur will have boosted his stock, and he could be the man to offer cover for Les Bleus' stars.
16. Anthony Martial
Amid all the chaos at Manchester United this season, Anthony Martial has quietly enjoyed a solid year so far.
However, he definitely can't be confident of a place in this team. Deschamps hasn't called on Martial since March 2018, so his inclusion would be a headline in itself.
15. Kingsley Coman
It's been a stop-start kind of season for Coman this year, with injury and inconsistency making it hard for him to stand out in Munich.
Nevertheless, the winger was key during qualification and hasn't exactly harmed his chances of retaining his place in the squad. He probably shouldn't be higher than Martial, but he almost certainly is up there in Deschamps' estimations.
14. Wissam Ben Yedder
While Giroud has been warming the bench at Stamford Bridge, Ben Yedder has been playing actual football - and doing pretty well.
Ahead of both Kylian Mbappé and Neymar in Ligue 1's scoring charts, Ben Yedder must be feeling confident of booking his ticket this summer.
13. Samuel Umtiti
A return to regular action under Quique Setién may have saved Umtiti's international career.
Now playing consistent, high-level football, the centre-back is definitely in with a shout of making the 23, but only if (and it's a big if) he can stay fit for the remainder of the season.
12. Steve Mandanda
As far as backup goalkeepers go, Mandanda is a great option, and he will be confident of taking up his regular spot on the bench once more this summer.
His appearance against Denmark at the 2018 World Cup is his only outing at a major tournament, despite travelling to all but one since Euro 2008. Consistent.
11. Lucas Hernández
Lucas made his long-awaited return from injury in early February, and now that he looks capable of playing 90 minutes, his spot in France's squad is almost guaranteed.
He spends most of his time at left-back for France, but is just as comfortable in the centre, and that's what makes him so valuable.
10. Moussa Sissoko
The only thing standing between Sissoko and a place in the squad is his knee injury, which is expected to sideline him until April at the earliest.
If he can shake that off, he'll almost certainly be in the team.
9. Paul Pogba
A healthy Pogba would be close to the first name on the team sheet for Deschamps, but there is no such thing as a healthy Pogba these days.
Nobody knows the next time they will see the midfielder on the pitch. However, if it's before the summer, you can guarantee he'll make it into the boss' plans.
8. Clément Lenglet
After finally earning a spot in the France squad in 2019, it's hard to picture Les Bleus without Lenglet.
The Barcelona man has come into his own in recent years, and he'll be looking to earn his first major international trophy this summer.
7. N'Golo Kanté
The only reason Kanté is ahead of Pogba is the fact that we have actually seen the Chelsea man recently. Sort of.
Injuries have still plagued his season, but Kanté has still proven to be a fantastic midfielder. His defensive work is vital for France, so Deschamps will not hesitate to pick him if he's available.
6. Benjamin Pavard
The 2018 World Cup was Pavard's breakout tournament. We all remember that screamer against Argentina. Since then, he's gone from strength to strength.
He's France's best right-back, and as we've seen this season, he's happy to fill in on the left and in the centre. He's every manager's dream.
5. Blaise Matuidi
Deschamps' willingness to deploy Matuidi as a winger just shouldn't work, so why is it so effective?
His performances for Juventus will certainly have worked in Matuidi's favour, and a place in the team is almost certain.
4. Raphaël Varane
The undisputed star at the heart of France's defence, Varane will be looking to add another trophy to his ever-expanding cabinet.
His form at club level might have slipped a bit this month, but that's definitely not going to harm his chances. Varane will be there this summer.
3. Hugo Lloris
Now that he has moved on from his elbow's injury, Lloris' place as France's first-choice goalkeeper is almost guaranteed.
As captain of the team, Deschamps will look to Lloris to help his side this summer, so that means no more crazy mistakes!
2. Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann has been pretty good for Barcelona, and that's all he needs to get into this squad. He's undoubtedly one of Deschamps' favourite players.
Operating behind the striker, Griezmann managed seven assists during Euro qualification, so it seems impossible that he won't be there this summer.
1. Kylian Mbappé
Obviously.
If Deschamps could only pick one player this summer, he surely wouldn't hesitate to pick Mbappé, who is deservedly in the conversation for the title of the world's best player.
Mbappé will be on the plane. Mbappé will be flying the plane. Mbappé will be the plane.
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Source : 90min