Two Everton defenders receive France call-ups

Lucas Digne and Kurt Zouma have already established themselves as mainstays in the 2018-19 Everton squad, and Didier Deschamps has taken note. The World Cup-winning manager has handed both players call-ups for the upcoming international break, with France playing Gylfi Sigurdsson’s Iceland in a friendly followed by a League of Nations game against Germany.

Digne already has 21 international caps, but last played for Les Bleus in March 2018 and was not in the World Cup squad that went to Russia. The reasoning then was that he’d not gotten enough playing time for Barcelona, but since his transfer to the Toffees he’s been a regular and the call-up is well-deserved.

Zouma has two international appearances, but has been in the squad 11 times and was even part of the World Cup qualifying effort, but didn’t make the final cut-off for this summer.

Deschamps has made six changes from the last break, Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho, goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda also return along with the Everton pair.