Chelsea defender Malo Gusto receives first call up to senior France squad… as Blues team-mate Axel Disasi is also drafted into squad for matches against Netherlands and Scotland

Chelsea defender Malo Gusto has been called up to the senior France squad for the first time. 

The 20-year-old has represented his country at various youth levels and will replace Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano in the squad for the matches against Netherlands and Scotland.

Blues team-mate Axel Disasi has also been drafted into the squad in place of Barcelona star Jules Kounde.

Upamecano is suffering from a hamstring injury sustained against Freiburg, while Kounde suffered a knee injury against Granada at the weekend.

Gusto has been a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season after captain Reece James was ruled out by injury.

However, a red card picked up against Aston Villa last month has ruled him out of the last two games.

But the 20-year-old will be available for selection against Arsenal after the international break.

Disasi, meanwhile, was part of the France squad who reached the 2022 World Cup final and has four caps for his country.

France are mired in an injury crisis. 

Arsenal defender William Saliba was also forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering a hamstring injury during their win over Manchester City on Sunday.

He will remain with Arsenal and undergo treatment for a toe injury, which necessitated injections in order to allow him to feature against Manchester City. 

He was replaced by OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.