On the eve of a high-risk Nations League match against Israel in Paris, France coach Didier Deschamps was asked Wednesday if he had spoken with Mbappé about his decision to leave the Real Madrid forward out of his squad. Deschamps first joked that he had expected the question to be asked earlier during the press conference.

Recent decisions surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s exclusion, paired with whispers of frustration among other prominent players, have fueled calls for Zinedine Zidane to step in as the new manager.

Kylian Mbappe was not selected for the France squad by Didier Deschamps for the upcoming international break. This is the second straight time Mbappe has not been called up by his national side. France are due to play Israel and Italy next week in the UEFA Nations League.