Experienced in the exercise of the announcement of the lists, it is a smiling Didier Deschamps who found the journalists, this Thursday, May 19, to reveal the 24 players summoned for the League of Nations matches which will be played on 3, 6 , June 10 and 13 against Denmark, Croatia, Austria and again Croatia. For 35 minutes, the coach of the Blues did not evade any question, notably evoking the first summons of the Marseillais Boubacar Kamara.
Why did you summon Boubacar Kamara? Did you hear of an agreement in principle between the Marseille midfielder and Senegal?
DIDIER DESCHAMPS. He is there in relation to what he achieves with his club (OM) in a very particular register. Even if it is linked to the absence of other players, like Paul Pogba who is still in the recovery phase. For what would seem, what would seem (in relation to Senegal), I have already been confronted with the cases of binational players who had the choice. At no time will I select a player to prevent him from having the second choice and, from the moment his position is clear, namely to be a French international, there is no discussion. His summons? It could have been later, it could have been earlier. It is time. If I call him, it’s in relation to what he does well on the pitch with his club.
Does Olivier Giroud’s absence mean he can skip the World Cup without the withdrawal of another attacking player?
I leave you free to your hasty conclusions. Over these four games, I want to offer the possibility to other offensive players who have had less time to toughen up and show themselves.
Is it either Benzema or Giroud on your mind?
Take back what I said since March, when Olivier came back with us, on what I think of his status, of his experience. I have the opportunity to give playing time to Nkunku, who is the best player in Germany with statistics, Diaby and Ben Yedder who are very successful with their club.
Can the future of Kylian Mbappé and the question of image rights interfere with the next rally?
Kylian will announce his decision whenever he wants. It’s a soap opera for you, but as long as it doesn’t pose a problem about his intentions and his attachment to the France team, it’s not a concern. It’s their decision, their career. There are other French players who are out of contract, others likely to move, there are quite a few. For the rest, I’m a coach, I’m talking about the field. I am not president of the FFF, you should not ask me that.
How do you explain Antoine Griezmann’s slump?
Antoine is not in his best period because he is less decisive, with more complicated matches for him. But it happens to everyone at one time or another. In addition, he experienced his first real injury which put him aside. He is not in his best shape but I know what he has done and is capable of doing. On the pitch, of course, he preferred things to go better with his team.
Varane is not at his best in Manchester either…
He’s the same, but is his club at its best? He used to play right axis, sometimes he plays left axis. This is not the best period because Manchester is not having a season up to its objectives. It will be up to him to reverse the trend next season.
What did Ibrahima Konaté lack to be in the list instead of a William Saliba for example?
He is a player that I am because he plays in a team that is playing for the Premier League title, which will play in the Champions League final (Liverpool). He plays quite often even if he is not always a starter. His profile is very interesting but at Liverpool he plays more in a four-man defence. I took William Saliba in March. He met my expectations and he plays in a three-man defense. There are a lot of young players in all positions who are growing. So much the better, it allows the elders not to fall asleep.
Have you considered summoning Eduardo Camavinga?
Camera is interesting. When he enters most often, he brings dynamism, energy. He is in a club which is champion of Spain and which will also play for the title in the Champions League. When you are in a big club like him, with competition, the best thing is to play. That’s kind of the negative part. He’s not like a starter. He is part of a generation, the Hopes, who still have points to take too. He could have been there, but I have choices to make.
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