World Cup: 5 Players who should be on Didier Deschamps' Radar

We're ten days out from France manager Didier Deschamps announcing his squad for France's matches against Brazil and Colombia -- which of Ligue 1's hidden talents should be on his radar? We run the rule over five players whose form justifies a look-in for Les Bleus later this month.

Adrien Thomasson, RC Lens

The assists leader to date in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Thomasson has forged a reputation over spells at Nantes, Strasbourg and now Lens as a technically adept playmaker. The current campaign has seen him deployed in a deeper role, though, and his creativity has been even more valuable. Given the rather prosaic other options at Deschamps' disposal, could a truly creative midfielder comfortable in either a two or three man midfield be such an outlandish pick?

Matthieu Udol, RC Lens

In a recent profile of Matthieu Udol's strong play at Lens, we underscored how the veteran left back, who is playing the best football of his career as Le Sang et Or chase the title, could make him a dark horse for France. Despite Lens having dropped vital points of late, that's no less true at present, and he remains a vital part of the team's attack -- only Thomasson has more assists this season. Several years younger than Lucas Digne and playing in a more competitive environment than Theo Hernández, Udol is truly deserving of a call-up on form.

Florian Thauvin, RC Lens

While Thauvin was in the last France squad and his form has scarcely warranted his being displaced, injuries to other players have had an outsize role in his inclusions in 2025. With the likes of Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé and Kingsley Coman all in the mix, Thauvin will have an uphill battle, but with Lens just a point off top spot and the veteran on four goals in his last five appearances, he must be firmly in the conversation.

Florian Thauvin influencing games week after week for Lens 🇫🇷🌟 pic.twitter.com/WnMkiJ0DMO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 9, 2026

Corentin Tolisso, Olympique Lyonnais

In looking at Thomasson as being a candidate for France's midfield, it's necessary to acknowledge his evolution and continued improvement, but the real elephant in the room is Corentin Tolisso. The stalwart midfielder is still only 31, and has more than two dozen caps for his country. A part of the 2018 World Cup winning side, he hasn't featured for his country since 2021, but has gone from strength to strength for Les Gones this season, and would surely add more attacking thrust than the likes of Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné or Khéphren Thuram.

Brendan Chardonnet, Stade Brestois

An unsung hero of Brest's remarkable run to the Champions League two years ago, the Breton-born Chardonnet is now in his twelfth season with the club, having made his debut in the 2012/13 season. While Brest haven't torn up trees in the manner they did in 2023/24, Chardonnet has been no less reliable, despite having to contend with a rotating cast of partners in defence. With William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté all experienced options, this is an unlikely move, but Chardonnet has been arguably the best French defender in the league this season.