France boss Didier Deschamps doesn’t hold back in his criticism of William Saliba as he explains why the Arsenal defender is not a regular starter for Les Bleus
Didier Deschamps has insisted William Saliba continues to struggle to break into France’s starting line-up because his shaky international displays haven’t ‘gone well’.
The defender has enjoyed a superb season with Arsenal to date and played an integral role in the title charge for Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders.
But his fortunes at club level are a stark contrast to his Les Blues woes, with the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Benjamin Pavard favoured over him.
Saliba was an unused substitute in France’s 2-0 friendly defeat by Germany at the weekend and has started just two of his nation’s last 18 fixtures.
He could be in line to feature against Chile on Tuesday in a rotated XI, but Deschamps has defended his decision to restrict him to a bit-part role.
Dider Deschamps has defended William Saliba’s bit-part international role for France
Saliba has struggled to break into Deschamps’ first-choice XI with others favoured over him
‘He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much,’ Deschamps told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
‘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 defender’s superb form with Arsenal this season is a stark contrast to his Les Blues woes
Deschamps believes Saliba has not yet impressed during his appearances for his country
Saliba has made 38 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season but has featured just 12 times on the international stage since his debut in 2022.
Deschamps previously insisted the centre half is not in the same ‘psychological situation’ with France in comparison to his flourishing career at Arsenal.
‘At international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve rotated a lot,’ Deschamps said. ‘He isn’t in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn’t ask himself if he’ll play.
‘When he has game time with us, he tells himself he needs to play well because there are others behind him.
‘He is not in a psychological situation that is the same as at his club. He has everything he needs to take the next step.’
