Lyon hotshot Cherki called up by France for Nations League

A product of Lyon's youth academy, the 21-year-old enjoyed a highly successful season in Ligue 1, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists.

That return has prompted interest, according to media reports on both sides of the Channel, from both Liverpool and Manchester United.

"Rayan could have been here in March given what he has achieved with his club," Deschamps said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"He has been so decisive in terms of his goals and his assists."

Cherki, who is also eligible to play for Algeria and Italy, has been a regular with France's Under-21 team but his selection ends speculation about his international future.

Deschamps, however, insisted that he had not attempted to influence Cherki's decision to play for France ahead of the other two nations.

"I've never blocked a player or prevented him from making a choice," said Deschamps.

"When I bring them in, it's for our needs, not to prevent them from doing something else. I have never tried that on since I became coach."

Cherki is one of 25 players called up to face Spain in the Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart on June 5. The final and the match for third place are scheduled for June 8.

His elevation to the senior squad all but rules him out of the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia which begins just after the Nations League finals.

Deschamps, however, will have to do without almost his entire first-choice defence, with Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Jules Kounde all withdrawing through injury.

Instead, Deschamps has been able to restore Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Hernandez to his defence and there are call-ups for uncapped pair Loic Bade and Pierre Kalulu as well as Chelsea's Malo Gusto and Atletico Madrid's Clement Lenglet.

He will also be without Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who is out with a hamstring injury.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier (Lille), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Rennes)

Defenders: Loic Bade (Sevilla/ESP), Malo Gusto (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan/ITA), Clement Lenglet (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus/ITA)

Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Randal Kolo Muani (Juventus/ITA), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)