Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta in France squad for Olympics as Arsenal and Chelsea stars overlooked
Crystal Palace duo Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta were today named in the France squad for the Olympics.
The men’s football at the Paris Games runs from July 24 to August 10 and finishes the week before the new Premier League campaign gets underway, so their call ups are a blow to Palace’s plans for next season.
It is an Under-23s tournament but Mateta has been called up as one of three over-age players in the provisional squad.
France coach Thierry Henry has not selected Malo Gusto or William Saliba, in boosts to Chelsea and Arsenal.
Olise, 22, is yet to play senior international football despite being eligible to represent France, England, Algeria or Nigeria. He competed at last summer’s U21 Euros for France, where he suffered a hamstring tear that saw him miss four months of action.
Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, 33, has been named as another of the over-aged players. Chelsea were reportedly unwilling to let Gusto or Benoit Badiashile leave for the Olympics, with new manager Enzo Maresca coming in, but midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu has been selected.
Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe was believed to be targeting an appearance at the Paris Games after captaining France at Euro 2024, but he has not been selected in the squad.
"Real Madrid were really straightforward about the Olympics," Henry told a press conference. "The last time I received so many rejections was at middle school. There have not even been negotiations. You go, you ask, they say no and you leave."
But Henry did not rule out a late addition of Mbappe to the squad, which needs to be trimmed to 22 players by July 3, adding: "We do not know what can happen between now and July 3. "The list is open for everyone, the door is not closed to anyone."
Hosts France face the United States, New Zealand and Guinea in Group A.
The French are seen as one of the favourites to win the men’s football tournament at the Olympics, which features 16 teams including Argentina and Spain. As well as Paris, six other cities will host matches, including the likes of Bordeaux, Marseille and Nice.
More follows.
