Arsenal star William Saliba has been outstanding all season, and is now recognised by most as one of the best centre-backs in European football.
However, France manager Didier Deschamps seemingly disagrees and has now publicly criticised the 23-year-old in a surprise move.
Saliba has been included in the France squad for their friendly matches in this International break, but was an unused substitute as his side lost to Germany, in a game which saw Kai Havertz score.
Deschamps has now explained why Saliba is lower down in his pecking order, and called for improvement from the centre-back, in a move which will not go down well with the Arsenal fanbase.
Didier Deschamps criticises Arsenal’s William Saliba
Speaking via The Mirror, Deschamps claimed that despite Saliba’s brilliance, there are parts of his game which he needs to work on to earn a starting spot for France.
“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much,” Deschamps stated.
“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.”
Didier Deschamps has been unfair towards William Saliba
Saliba’s performances have been nothing short of sensational this season, and he has been a crucial rock in Arsenal’s defence, which is arguably the best in Europe right now.
His criticism becomes even more bizarre considering that Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano has been praised as an option ahead of him.
Upamecano has made several high-profile errors this season, which included being sent off in back-to-back defeats against Lazio and VFL Bochum within a week.
Saliba has been a figure of calm at the back for Arsenal alongside the more aggressive Gabriel Magalhaes, and deserves a starting spot at the European Championships this summer. However, it now seems that Ben White will not be the only Arsenal defender to be maligned by their National Team management.
Mikel Arteta may be secretly happy if Saliba does not appear for France and risk injury, given that Arsenal’s title challenge last season collapsed once the Frenchman picked up a long-term problem.
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