Didier Deschamps has criticised William Saliba and explained why the Arsenal defender is not a regular for his France team.
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Saliba has struggled for game time with France despite starring for Arsenal in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta. Deschamps has spoken about Saliba’s struggles for minutes with Les Bleus and revealed why he’s down the pecking order at the moment with the national team.
WHAT DESCHAMPS SAID
He told reporters: “He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much. For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well. The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment, but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less. With certain players, I make sure to persevere, because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift. Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Saliba has just 12 caps for France but will be hoping to add to his tally next time out against Chile in a friendly in Marseille on Tuesday. The Arsenal star did not feature at all in France’s 2-0 defeat to Germany last time out but Deschamps is expected to make changes for his team’s second fixture of the international break.
WHAT NEXT FOR SALIBA
Saliba looks to have his work cut out convincing Deschamps of his qualities. The France boss doesn’t lack for quality options in central defence, either, with players such as Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard, Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konate in the squad. While Saliba is expected to be part of France’s Euro 2024 squad, it remains to be seen how much game time he will see while Deschamps remains in charge.
