Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana the latest defender to withdraw from the France squad

The World Cup runners-up take on the Netherlands on Friday and then Ireland the following Monday.

OUT: Chelsea's Wesley Fofana celebrates after UEFA Champions League round of sixteen second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 7, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.

Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana has become the latest defender to withdraw from the France squad for their opening Euro 2024 qualifiers, including Monday week’s visit to face Ireland.

Fofana – bought for £75m from Leicester City at the start of the season – was hoping to make his debut against Netherlands on Friday only to hobble off with a hamstring strain towards the end of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Everton.