France boss Didier Deschamps has slammed a highly-rated Premier League star, revealing he does not like some of the things the Les Bleus player does on the pitch.
The French national team manager has explicitly revealed why Arsenal defender William Saliba does not get much get game time in the famous blur, red and white shirt despite being considered by many to be one of the best centre-backs in the world over the past two seasons.
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The 23-year-old has been named in a France squad 12 times, but was condemned to the bench on eight of those occasions, with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez all ranking above him in the team's defensive pecking order.
His limited role for Les Bleus has come under question from some quarters, with Saliba one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Premier League and arguably Arsenal's best player, particularly last season.
The former Olympique Marseille star was also named in the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Season, which has seen his reputation as a top-class centre back grow, and many expect him to be named for the 2023/24 iteration too.
However, there is speculation that Deschamps is not a major fan of the player as yet, and the 55-year-old has now confirmed those suspicions.
"He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don't like so much," the French tactician said in a press conference on Monday, according to GetFrenchFootballNews.
"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."
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