Manager Didier Deschamps says France will avoid “unnecessary risks” with the forward
France captain Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan after missing a second consecutive training session due to an ankle problem.
The Real Madrid forward sustained the injury during Saturday’s win over Villarreal and has yet to fully recover. Although early scans ruled out serious damage, France coach Didier Deschamps and his medical team are reluctant to take any risks with their star player.
Mbappe has been undergoing individual recovery work at the French camp while his teammates prepare for Friday’s match at the Parc des Princes. He remains under close observation and a final decision regarding his involvement will be made after Wednesday’s training session, when the staff will assess his progress.
“The setback isn’t serious enough for him to go back [to Madrid], Deschamps said. “We just want to avoid any unnecessary risks. There’s no reason to panic.”
Mbappe has had a flying start to the season, scoring 14 goals in his 10 appearances for Madrid so far. He also scored in each of his last two appearances for France, against Ukraine and Iceland in September.
