PARIS (AP) — Midfielder N’Golo Kanté was surprisingly included in France’s preliminary list of players for the European Championship on Thursday, with coach Didier Deschamps also giving a first call-up to Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.

Kanté's return was not expected following the former Chelsea player’s departure to the lucrative Saudi league last summer after he struggled with injuries. The 2018 World Cup winner has not played for France since June 2022.

Deschamps said Kanté, who has played 53 matches with France, has rediscovered his form at Al-Ittihad.

“He has had a full season, albeit not in a European league as he plays in Saudi Arabia, where he has regained his full physical fitness,” Deschamps said as he announced his squad on French TV channel TF1.

Kanté won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and was one of the best players in the Premier League when he earned back-to-back titles with Leicester (2016) and Chelsea (2017). He’s the first player who moved to the Saudi league to get called up by France.