Hugo Ekitike's exclusion from the French national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers has raised eyebrows, despite his stellar performances since joining Liverpool. The 23-year-old striker, who signed with the Premier League champions this summer, has made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in his first three appearances for the club.
Ekitike's journey to Anfield began with his professional debut for Stade de Reims in 2020. After loan spells at Vejle Boldklub and Paris Saint-Germain, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he impressed with 26 goals in 64 appearances. Liverpool secured his signature in a deal worth £79 million (€91.5m), recognizing his potential as one of Europe's most exciting forwards.
Since arriving at Liverpool, Ekitike has quickly adapted to the Premier League. He scored on his debut in the FA Community Shield against Crystal Palace. He also found the net in his first Premier League match against Bournemouth and followed up with another goal against Newcastle United. His impressive form has drawn praise from fans and pundits, with Thierry Henry describing his finishing as "outstanding".
Despite his strong start to the season, France manager Didier Deschamps has decided to leave Ekitike out of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland. Deschamps acknowledged Ekitike's potential but emphasized the fierce competition for attacking positions in the French squad. He noted that while Ekitike's performances at Liverpool are encouraging, he has a wealth of options to choose from, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and others. Deschamps also mentioned Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise and Desire Doue as players he is currently considering.
The decision to exclude Ekitike has led to speculation about his international future. He is eligible to play for both France and Cameroon, and he may now consider switching his allegiance to the African nation in search of international recognition. According to reports, Deschamps believes it is "too soon" to call up Ekitike, despite his impressive form for both Frankfurt and Liverpool. This could prompt Ekitike to reconsider his options and focus on representing Cameroon.
Ekitike's absence from the French squad highlights the depth of talent available to Deschamps. However, it also raises questions about the criteria for selection and whether current form is being adequately considered. For Ekitike, the snub could serve as motivation to continue improving and prove himself worthy of a place in the national team, whether for France or Cameroon.
