France’s national team manager, Didier Deschamps, has defended his cautious approach towards William Saliba from Arsenal, citing the need for improvement in certain areas and the competitive hierarchy within the squad.
Despite Saliba’s impressive performances for Arsenal, where he played a crucial role in their defensive strength alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, the 23-year-old has struggled to secure a regular spot in the French national team.
With players like Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, and Benjamin Pavard often chosen ahead of him, Saliba has frequently been on the bench or left out entirely, featuring in only two of France’s last 18 matches.
Deschamps recognized Saliba’s talent but highlighted specific aspects of his game that need fine-tuning.
While Saliba is expected to play against Chile on Tuesday as part of a rotational lineup, Deschamps stressed the importance of patience, confidence, and playing time in a player’s growth.
“He [Saliba] is having a good season, but there are also things that I believe he needs to work on,” Deschamps mentioned during his press conference before the match on Monday.
“His opportunities with the French team have been limited, and his performances in those chances haven’t always been ideal.
“The current pecking order doesn’t favor him, but he is still part of the squad. Upamecano has been getting more minutes on the field, and perhaps Saliba hasn’t had the same opportunities.
“Some players thrive without any issues, while others need more playing time. Saliba falls into the latter category, and the lack of game time might be affecting his confidence.”