Kylian Mbappe cannot be satisfied with his performances in France's opening two World Cup 2022 qualifiers, according to head coach Didier Deschamps.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward played 77 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Ukraine and just over half an hour in the 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan without finding the net.
He attempted seven shots across those two Group D fixtures, finding the target from three of them, including a penalty that was saved by Alexandr Mokin at Astana Arena on Sunday.
Mbappe's goalscoring record with Monaco and PSG has not quite been matched at international level, having managed 16 goals in 41 appearances for Les Blues.
But despite acknowledging that there is room for improvement from Mbappe, Deschamps does not believe the 22-year-old is low on confidence.
"He cannot be satisfied with what he has done so far," Deschamps said ahead of Wednesday's trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"He was not very leggy in the first game. He was much better off against Kazakhstan and had chances. Of course he wants to score more goals and create them."
Asked if the penalty miss against Kazakhstan has affected Mbappe, Deschamps said: "No, I don't feel it has. It happens to everyone.
"I know Kylian well. He can, over a match or a period of time, have a spell of efficiency that is a little less good than usual."
Deschamps is spoiled for choice in terms of options across the field, not least in attack where Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman are battling for a starting spot.
Coman started the disappointing draw with Ukraine but was left out against Kazakhstan in favour of Dembele, who made the most of his chance with the opening goal.
"They are players somewhat in the same profile – yet they are not the same," Deschamps said. "They are both dribblers capable of taking opponents out of the game.
"Ousmane can speed past opponents and go fast without the ball. Kingsley can play both sides, even if he has a preference, just like Ousmane."
One player France will have to make do without against Bosnia-Herzegovina is defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante, who has returned to Chelsea with a hamstring injury.
"We know his importance," Deschamps said of Kante's absence. "When he is available, of course I prefer to have him in the team, and that is the same for his team-mates.
"He is an importance player for us, but he is not available on Wednesday and I have lots of other players."
Mbappe is another fitness doubt for France after hobbling off against Kazakhstan, but Deschamps is not ruling the Manchester United forward out of the Bosnia match.
"Anthony has a little problem with his knee, but we cannot make a decision on his inclusion today," Deschamps said.
"He is not at his best and will not participate in the training session tonight, but we will take stock tomorrow."
Balogun would be 'great addition' for USMNT, 'but his heart needs to be in it'
Folarin Balogun would be a "great addition" to the United States team, but Arsenal's Matt Turner only wants the striker to make the switch if it "comes from the heart".
Arsenal forward Balogun has excelled on loan with Reims this season, scoring 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances – behind only Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappe (both 19).
The 21-year-old's excellent form has prompted talk of a tussle for his international allegiance, with the New York-born star eligible to represent England, the United States and Nigeria.
Balogun has been a mainstay in the England Under-21 set-up, but he withdrew from the squad for this month's internationals due to injury.
That development has led to fresh hope Balogun will pledge himself to the USMNT, and Turner confirmed he had spoken to his Gunners team-mate on the matter.
"I spoke to Flo. We obviously had most of our preseason together, and I knew going into it he had some roots in the USA," the goalkeeper said on Wednesday.
"So, he and I developed a relationship pretty quickly. That's pretty much the extent of it. We check in on each other here and there.
"He'd be a great addition to our national team. I think he's done really well, obviously, for his club on loan, and we'll see.
"The decision has to come from the heart, because it's not necessarily an easy task to come and play in these CONCACAF games. It's a tough region at times.
"So, for us, we'd be really grateful to have him, but his heart needs to be in it."
Earlier in the week, Balogun told Sky Sports he was yet to decide on his future but has aspirations of playing at the highest level.
"My international future is not decided yet in terms of who I'll play for," he said. "But of course I want to play international football at the highest level, in the World Cups, and I want to compete at the highest level.
"I want to put myself in positions where I'm performing in front of millions of people."
Reiten gives Chelsea edge over defending champions Lyon
Guro Reiten secured Chelsea the advantage in their quarter-final against defending champions Lyon in the Women's Champions League.
The Norwegian curled home after 28 minutes in France to hand the Blues a 1-0 lead ahead of the reverse fixture in London.
Lyon were guilty of missing a number of opportunities in the first half, although Lauren James could have added a second for Chelsea when she hit the post.
Delphine Cascarino similarly struck the woodwork for Lyon after half-time, with the eight-time champions now needing a turnaround in the second leg if their title defence is to continue.
Retegui earns Batistuta comparison from Italy coach Mancini
Argentina-born Italy striker Mateo Retegui reminds Roberto Mancini of the Albiceleste's Serie A great Gabriel Batistuta.
Retegui has been handed a first Italy call-up for this month's Euro 2024 qualifiers, starting at home to England on Thursday.
The Tigre striker, who was born and raised in Argentina, where he has also spent his entire club career, qualifies for the Azzurri through his grandfather.
Strikers travelling between Argentina and Italy is not a new phenomenon, but Retegui is heading for the Italy camp, rather than a Serie A club.
"Coming like this from Argentina to Italy, not in a club team, is not so simple," coach Mancini said on the eve of the England game.
"It takes some time, but the guy is polite and smart. He is a good striker, young, we have great confidence and we have to give him some time."
Retegui has scored 28 goals in 48 Argentine Primera Division games for Tigre.
While Mancini noted comparisons with former Napoli striker German Denis, he preferred to draw parallels with the great Batistuta.
Batistuta joined Fiorentina from Boca Juniors in 1991 and was a great success both with the Viola and with Roma.
"[Retegui] is a classic striker, I see that many compare him to Denis," Mancini said. "I remember when Batistuta arrived in Italy, he reminds me of him.
"Clearly, he is a young guy and needs time and to grow. But I don't think it will take long to settle in."
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