France coach Didier Deschamps has played down concerns over defender William Saliba, insisting the Arsenal centre-back is in good condition as Les Bleus prepare for their World Cup build-up.
Key takeaways
- Deschamps said William Saliba is “fine” and will be managed despite earlier injury speculation.
- Saliba joined France on Tuesday at their pre-tournament camp outside Paris after Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
- France are set to play Côte d’Ivoire in Nantes in a warm-up match, with Saliba expected to have his minutes limited.
- Deschamps plans squad rotation for the upcoming friendlies, including a match against Northern Ireland in Lille next Monday.
- Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué are among five PSG-linked players in the squad to be monitored closely following PSG’s win in Budapest.
- Deschamps described Kylian Mbappé as “in excellent shape,” while defending his club situation as separate from international duties.
Saliba cleared as France begin World Cup preparations
Following Arsenal’s weekend Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain, Saliba returned to international duty and joined the rest of his France teammates on Tuesday at their training base outside Paris.
France will take on Côte d’Ivoire in a warm-up encounter in Nantes on Monday, but Deschamps is expected to restrict Saliba’s workload as a precaution.
The French head coach said: “William is fine and will be managed. If he had needed to play tomorrow, he would have played.”
Rotation planned, with PSG and Mbappé under scrutiny
Deschamps, who will step down as France manager after the World Cup, indicated he will rotate his squad for the upcoming friendly matches. Les Bleus are also scheduled to face Northern Ireland in Lille next Monday.
He added that Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué are among five players from PSG included in the group, with Deschamps set to keep a close eye on their condition after PSG’s victory in Budapest on Saturday.
“I will manage the six players involved in the Champions League, even more so those who started, given what lies ahead,” Deschamps said.
Deschamps also addressed the status of captain Kylian Mbappé, saying he is “in excellent shape, both physically and mentally” despite a difficult period at club level with Real Madrid.
The 27-year-old has not yet lifted a major trophy in two seasons at the Spanish club, despite an impressive record for goals. Questions have also been raised about his commitment after he went on holiday while dealing with a hamstring problem toward the end of the campaign.
Deschamps responded: “What happened at club level stays at club level. Here, it’s the national team. With the group and those who were there for the first sessions, he has put in the effort.”
He continued: “He has experience that others don’t. It will be his third World Cup. He knows how difficult a World Cup is.”
