“William Saliba is not yet upto to France level” Deschamp give reasons why Saliba is yet a top class player even though he may be doing well for COMMON Arsenal

William Saliba is ‘not in the same psychological condition’ with France as he is at Arsenal, admits Didier Deschamps – with the defender playing twice for his country this year
By Luke Power For Mailonline
09:17 GMT 16 Nov 2023 , updated 09:19 GMT 16 Nov 2023

William Saliba is not as secure with France because of rotation, says Deschamps
The Arsenal defender is indispensable at club level but a fringe man for France
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France manager Didier Deschamps saying William Saliba isn’t in the same ‘psychological situation’ at France compared to Arsenal after a lack of game time.

The centre-back has featured just twice for Les Bleus this year but Deschamps backs him to ‘take the next step’ after stellar club form.

Saliba is competing for space with Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, and Jean-Clair Todibo and does not face the same competition at the Emirates.

Deschamps suggested the rotation could be causing doubts in Saliba’s mind.

He said: ‘He hasn’t had a lot of game time with us. He is performing well for his club.

William Saliba is a critical man for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal but is only a fringe player for France
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William Saliba is a critical man for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal but is only a fringe player for France
Didier Deschamps said he is ‘not in the same psychological situation’ for club and country
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Didier Deschamps said he is ‘not in the same psychological situation’ for club and country

‘At international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve rotated a lot. He isn’t in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn’t ask himself if he’ll play at the weekend.

‘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.’

Saliba has started four games with the national side since breaking into the set-up last year, coming on six times as a substitute.

However, he has seen his game time squeezed more this year and Jules Kounde and Benjamin Pavard have also been involved in the centre-back rotation.

It is a stark contrast to his status at Arsenal, where he is one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s teamsheet.

He has played for the full 90 minutes in all of their Premier League games this year and has a strong partnership with Brazil international Gabriel.

The Gunners have the joint-best defensive record in the top flight this season alongside Liverpool, having conceded ten goals in 12 games.

Saliba has played just twice for Les Bleus this year and is down a ram-packed pecking order
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Saliba has played just twice for Les Bleus this year and is down a ram-packed pecking order

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France’s final two qualifiers for the European Championships are against Gibraltar and Greece
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France’s final two qualifiers for the European Championships are against Gibraltar and Greece
Saliba signed a new contract until 2028 in the summer which will see him earn around £10million per year.

Team-mate Gabriel Jesus said that Saliba’s back injury last season against Sporting CP in the Europa League was the reason their title charge ultimately fell apart.

He had played all but 14 minutes of the campaign up to that point in March, losing only three games, but they went on to lose as many without him in two months.

France’s final qualifying games for the European Championships are against Gibraltar and Greece and Deschamps’ men have already qualified after six wins in six.

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