According to Le Parisien, the upcoming trip for the French national team, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, could offer a first cap to Lucas Chevalier (24), the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper. Didier Deschamps is also considering giving playing time to Warren Zaïre-Emery (19) in an ideal context to test his young players.
“Giving minutes to the usual backups”
“This long trip to Azerbaijan will therefore allow Didier Deschamps to give playing time to the usual backups and to see certain players in action in an international context. This should be particularly true for Lucas Chevalier, who has a strong chance of making his first appearance for the French national team.”
“Chevalier should therefore have the opportunity to prove his worth”
Called up to Les Bleus for a year now, the PSG goalkeeper (24) is participating in his sixth international call-up but has never had the opportunity to play in goal, usually guarded by Mike Maignan. While going through a difficult period with the capital club, Chevalier should have the opportunity to prove his worth and regain confidence in this match, which feels like a baptism of fire, seven months before the 2026 World Cup. Warren Zaïre-Emery or Khéphren Thuram can hope to get some playing time in midfield.
This trip to Azerbaijan comes as a breath of fresh air for Lucas Chevalier (24 years old). Called up for a year without playing a single minute, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper is going through an unstable period at his club and clearly needs some direction. Deschamps seems ready to offer him that crucial first step, the one that can restore a player’s confidence and reposition his trajectory seven months before a World Cup where the hierarchy is clear, but a lot can happen between now and then.
This so-called “low-pressure” match also serves as an opportunity for Les Bleus to inject some fresh blood: Warren Zaïre-Emery (19 years old) could get some playing time in midfield, reminding everyone that he remains one of the most reliable young players in the squad. Between Chevalier seeking to find his footing and Zaïre-Emery wanting to re-establish himself in the national team, this test match feels like a dress rehearsal for those looking to take the next step in Deschamps’ project.
