France are reportedly set to start Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in their World Cup opener against Australia, with Didier Deschamps ready to place his faith in the 24-year-old.
According to RMC Sport, France boss Deschamps is trialling a 4-3-3 formation in training with Dayot Upamecano, his former RB Leipzig partner, alongside him.
There are doubts around the fitness of Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, so Konate may well be set for just his third appearance for the national side.
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Konate, who won both caps for France in the summer, is more than ready to play in the World Cup after impressing for the Reds.
The Liverpool man is ready to reignite his partnership with Bayern Munich defender Upamecano: "With Dayot we played together for a very long time, we have chemistry.
"He’s basically my brother. We are in constant contact, he and I, outside of football… On the pitch I fight for myself first and foremost. There is a good understanding with Dayot but that does not mean I’m going to fight more for him than anyone else."
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