PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps included Lyon's rising talent Nabil Fekir in his 23-player squad for the first time as the Euro 2016 hosts get set for friendlies against Brazil on March 26 and Denmark on March 29.
Deschamps, as expected, called up Fekir for the matches in Paris and Saint-Etienne respectively, after the attacking midfielder declared his allegiance to France and not Algeria where he has family roots.
Fekir has been one of the revelations of the Ligue 1 season, scoring 11 goals and adding 7 assists, as Lyon head into the final stretch of the season with a two point lead over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
"I picked him because I think he has great potential and in a different capacity to players I can already choose from," said Deschamps.
"He is a player, who, when he receives the ball, has great acceleration and penetration. He is very calm on the ball, can score goals and help set up goals, which makes him useful in different positions. Now it is up to him to improve on that."
There was debate over whether he would choose to play for France, where he was born in Lyon, or the country of his father, Algeria.
Deschamps reportedly swayed his decision by promising Fekir a chance to break into the France squad looking ahead to Euro 2016 when the 1984 and 2000 champions will host the tournament.
"The media campaign about Fekir (whether he should play for France or Algeria) caused a buzz during a few weeks and months but at no moment did it have an influence on me," continued Deschamps.
"It is his performances on the pitch that convinced me to choose Nabil and it's important that he join the group. It is not to stop him joining another national team (Algeria).
"I am only looking at the best interests for France and make my decisions accordingly. The fact of the matter is Nabil chose to play for France, end of story. His decision is final and his position is very clear." added Deschamps.
Arsenal's in-form striker Olivier Giroud and Real Madrid marksman Karim Benzema lead a strong strike force that also includes Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, the top scorer in Ligue 1, Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid and Dynamo Moscow's Mathieu Valbuena.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba was left out after picking up an injury during his side's 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Champions League last-16 action on Wednesday.
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne)
Defenders: Patrice Evra (Juventus/ITA), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ENG), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City/ENG), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool/ENG), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid/ESP), Benoit Tremoulinas (Sevilla/ESP), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea/ENG)
Midfielders: Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Geoffrey Kondogbia (Monaco), Blaise Matuidi (Paris SG), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle/ENG), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton/ENG), Dimitri Payet (Marseille)
Forwards: Mathieu Valbuena (Dynamo Moscow/RUS), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ENG)
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