Tchouameni heads back to Real Madrid injured, and France has no replacement for him

The right adductor, again. Aurelien Tchouameni is heading home just as the French national team was starting to prepare for its matches against Italy and Turkey, and the reason is almost identical to what kept him out of the 2026 World Cup last summer. History is repeating itself, and apparently in the exact same spot.

The Real Madrid midfielder arrived carrying discomfort from the moment he set foot at the CNF in Clairefontaine, in Yvelines, on Monday. It was nothing new for the French medical staff, who were already familiar with his history. So after consulting with Real Madrid's doctors, the decision was made Tuesday night to send him back to his club. He will spend the night with the rest of the squad before leaving Wednesday for Madrid to begin his recovery.

What stands out is that Zinedine Zidane will not be calling anyone up to fill that spot. Tchouameni will not be replaced on the roster, which says a lot about how this camp is being managed amid one absence after another.

Thuram is out too, and a new name comes in

Tchouameni is not the only one missing these matches. Marcus Thuram, the Inter Milan forward, had been carrying a hamstring issue since Sunday, when he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win over Como. The discomfort did not improve even after Monday's training session, and following medical examinations, France decided to release him back to Milan, in agreement with the club and the player himself.

This time a replacement was called up: Zidane brought in Junior Kroupi, the Bournemouth forward who has yet to make his debut with the senior team. Kroupi was the top scorer in Ligue 2 in 2025 and was part of the under-19 squad that finished runner-up at the European Championship for that age group in 2024. Just last month he returned to action with Bournemouth after recovering from a foot injury that required surgery during preseason.

The list of absences does not end there. Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu is also out with a left hamstring injury, and taking his place is Sael Kumbedi, the right back who has yet to debut with Les Bleus. These join the earlier absences of William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Kone, Ousmane Dembele and Esteban Lepaul, a growing injury list that is complicating Zidane's plans at a key stage of the Nations League.

Even so, France sits atop its group with 10 points from four matches. There is no letup in the schedule: they travel to face Italy this Thursday and host Turkey three days later. With half the squad in the treatment room, it remains to be seen what pieces Zidane has left to work with for these two matches.