03 June 2024 , 09:14
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Chelsea have blocked Thierry Henry from including defensive duo Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto in France's squad for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Olympic Football Tournament is not ratified or formally recognised by FIFA, meaning clubs have the power to prevent the release of their players for the competition.
And the Chelsea pair were just two stars that missed out on Henry's provisional squad as incoming Italian tactician Enzo Maresca wants time to implement his style of play on the training pitch at Cobham.
Copa America-bound Enzo Fernandez had previously looked set to represent Argentina following hernia surgery, which Mauricio Pochettino was said to be prepared to approve, but Maresca has also pushed back on his inclusion as he wants to maximise his chances of hitting the ground running in west London. There is also concern that Fernandez's fitness must be managed carefully this summer following his operation.
There was room for Lesley Ugochukwu, however, as he looks to bank some vital minutes after missing the majority of last season with hamstring problems.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal also blocked William Saliba's release with the Gunners defender also set to feature for Les Bleus at this summer's European Championships in Germany.
The Olympic Football Tournament is due to run from July 24 to August 10 meaning any players that represent the two countries that go the distance could miss the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Henry announced a bumper preliminary squad list this morning that must be trimmed down before July 3. The squad is largely made up of young players, while bosses can pick three players over the age of 23.
Michael Olise made the cut (CameraSport via Getty Images)Crystal Palace have been dealt a blow after Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta made the cut. But clubs can still push back on their inclusion and there could still be numerous changes before the final squad is announced.
For Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been handed a call up by Henry alongside Paris Saint-Germain stars Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who are set to feature at Euro 2024. Kylian Mbappe had previously outlined his desire to represent France but Henry has since revealed when he pursued his inclusion, his advances were shot down by the powers that be. Surprisingly, Bayern Munich agreed to release Mathys Tel.
Speaking of his own personal experience, Henry claimed the Olympic Games should mean something to every footballer that gets the call up. He said: “The Games at home are once every hundred years. I still remember that I cried when, in qualifying in November 1999, we were eliminated by Italy of Gattuso and Pirlo. I didn't shed a tear when I won the World Cup, but I cried not to make the Sydney Olympics. That shows how important this competition is to me."