Gérald Baticle, the head coach of the France U21 football team, has announced his squad for the upcoming international friendlies scheduled for March. The team will face England on March 21, 2025, in Lorient, and Slovakia on March 24, 2025, as preparations ramp up for the European U21 Championship.
A total of 23 players have been called up, including standout midfielder Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyonnais, who has been making waves with his exceptional performances this season.
At just 21 years old, Cherki recently showcased his skills against Steaua Bucharest on March 13, 2025, contributing two assists to help Lyon secure a dominating 4-0 victory. During this match, he elevated his total number of assists to eight this season in the Europa League, which marks the highest tally for this competition by any player over the past 20 years. His performance garnered him significant adulation from home fans, who recognized his contributions with loud cheers as he left the field.
Cherki’s impressive season has seen him accumulate 18 assists across all competitions, tying the record set by Lyon legend Serge Chiesa during the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons. With the season still underway, the talented young player is on course to break this record, as Lyon continues to advance through the Europa League.
Coach Baticle expressed great optimism about his squad, mentioning, “A group of 23 players was selected for the France U21 matches against England and Slovakia.” This statement reflects Baticle's confidence not just in Cherki but also in the overall depth of talent within the team, including players like Castello Lukeba from Leipzig and Johann Lepenant, who is currently on loan to Nantes.
The upcoming matches are particularly important as they serve as preparation for the European U21 Championship taking place later this year. Baticle aims to fine-tune his strategies and see how the young talents perform under the pressures of international competition.
Fans of the Bleuets (the nickname for the France U21 team) are excited to see how the squad performs against England, the current U21 European champions, followed by the match against Slovakia, who are the hosts of this summer’s tournament. The matches are scheduled to kick off at 9 PM local time for the England fixture and 6:30 PM for the Slovakia game.
Meanwhile, another Lyonnais player, Saël Kumbedi, has been selected for the France U20 team, where he will join his teammates as they prepare for their own matches against Japan and Mexico.
Despite not being included in Didier Deschamps' senior squad for the Nations League quarterfinal against Croatia, Cherki maintains his focus on the U21 setup and the opportunity to represent his country at the U21 level. He stated after his recent match, "Rayan Cherki, who scored and provided an assist against Italy last November, returns to help his team on March 21 against England in Lorient." This quote symbolizes his determination and resilience to make his mark, even as discussions continue about which national team he may eventually represent.
Overall, the upcoming matches are being viewed as both a test and as preparation for the France U21 team. With players like Cherki leading the attack and showcasing exceptional skills, the Bleuets aim to solidify their legacy as one of the top youth teams in Europe.
The excitement among supporters is palpable as expectations build for what hopes to be another milestone moment for the nation’s footballing future. The stage is set, and everyone is eager to see how these talented young athletes deliver on their international debut.