Opinion: Zinedine Zidane’s Strongest 2nd Choice France XI

Zinedine Zidane could have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, particularly when assessing the players outside his preferred starting eleven. The French national team possess extraordinary depth across several positions, with established internationals and exciting young prospects competing for places.

However, selecting the strongest reserve side presents an interesting challenge. This XI excludes the regular starters, including Mike Maignan, Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé and Désiré Doué.

Using a 4-3-3 formation, Zidane could still assemble a competitive side with enough technical quality to trouble most international opponents.

French national team: The strongest 2nd choice defensive unit

1. GK – Guillaume Restes

Restes offers an exciting option between the posts. The Toulouse goalkeeper has attracted attention through his performances and could benefit from working alongside experienced international teammates. His reflexes and composure make him an interesting alternative.

2. RB – Pierre Kalulu

Kalulu provides defensive flexibility and considerable experience. His ability to operate at right-back or centre-back gives Zidane another useful option when managing injuries and rotation.

3. CB – Maxence Lacroix

Lacroix of Chelsea brings physical strength, recovery pace and experience against demanding attackers. His athletic qualities make him a suitable partner for a younger centre-back.

4. CB – Jérémy Jacquet

Liverpool’s Jacquet represents the next generation of French defensive talent. His composure and physical development give him considerable potential, although international football presents a different challenge.

5. LB – Adrien Truffert

Truffert offers natural left-back qualities, attacking energy and defensive discipline. He can provide width without completely abandoning his defensive responsibilities.

French national team: The strongest 2nd choice midfield

6. CM – Manu Koné

Koné brings aggression, mobility and ball-winning ability. His midfield presence would allow the more creative players to concentrate on progressing possession.

7. CM – Lucas Da Cunha

Da Cunha offers technical quality and intelligent movement. His ability to link midfield and attack could prove useful against opponents who defend with compact blocks.

8. CM – Warren Zaïre-Emery

Perhaps the biggest name in this reserve midfield, Zaïre-Emery combines physical strength with impressive technical ability. His experience at PSG gives him an advantage over several younger teammates.

French national team: The strongest 2nd choice attack

9. LW – Bradley Barcola

Barcola of Liverpool who is the Reds’ 2nd highest transfer signing is arguably the standout attacking option. His acceleration, dribbling and ability to attack defenders make him a serious threat from the left flank.

10. ST – Estéban Lepaul

Lepaul offers a different profile at centre-forward. However, his limited international experience means Zidane would need to manage expectations around his contribution.

11. RW – Andy Diouf

Diouf provides versatility and energy. Although midfield remains his natural position, his ability to operate in wider areas gives Zidane another tactical option.

Can Zidane’s reserve XI compete with Europe’s best?

On paper, this team has enough quality to compete against several established international sides. Barcola offers genuine attacking danger, while Zaïre-Emery and Koné provide an interesting midfield combination.

As we know Spain dispatched France in the World Cup but how France would do under Zidane is a question we don’t know the answer to. We do know his 2nd choice XI definitely looks pretty good compared to the Spanish 2nd strongest XI and looks like it would give the England 2nd choice XI all they could handle too.

Essentially all three European countries boast serious depth at virtually all positions and look to be improving all the time. France look even more dynamic under Zidane with Michael Olise of Bayern Munich bagging 4 goals and 2 assists in his first games under the French and World football legend.

Michael Olise has already 6 G/A in 4 games, 3 starts under Zinedine Zidane. vs Turkiye ⚽️ vs Belgium ⚽️ vs Italy ⚽️⚽️ vs Belgium Showtime in Nations League. ✨ https://t.co/xtMg8AJzqi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2026

The 2nd choice defensive unit, however, lacks the international experience of France’s preferred starters. Jacquet and Lacroix would face considerable pressure against elite forwards, particularly without an established defensive partnership.

There is another concern: centre-forward depth. Lepaul doesn’t yet offer the same international pedigree as Mbappé, making the gap between France’s first-choice attack and its reserves particularly noticeable.

Nevertheless, Zidane would have several interesting options from the bench, and this reserve XI demonstrates just how much competition exists within the French national team.