June 15th 2024.
French national team manager Didier Deschamps has recently praised the skills of Arsenal's young star William Saliba, calling him one of the best defenders in the Premier League. However, Deschamps also acknowledged that Saliba still needs to work on building a better understanding with his fellow teammates if he wants to secure a starting spot in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament.
At only 21 years old, Saliba has already had an impressive season with Arsenal, alongside his defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes. The team finished as runners-up in the Premier League and had the best defensive record in the division. Despite this, Saliba has not yet been able to establish himself as a regular starter for the French national team. Deschamps has preferred other defenders, such as Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, and has even openly criticized Saliba for certain aspects of his game.
There were reports that Saliba would start on the bench for France's first game of the European Championships against Austria. However, there is now speculation that Deschamps may change his mind and give Saliba a chance to start. Saliba will undoubtedly be eager to impress if given the opportunity.
In an interview with The Athletic, Deschamps explained his handling of Saliba and his hopes for the young defender in the upcoming tournament. "William is one of the best defenders in the Premier League," he said. "I want him to do what he does best at Arsenal. He had a fantastic season and played a crucial role in their defensive success. With the national team, it's difficult to develop those same partnerships and understandings due to the limited time we have together. But now, with the team living and training together for a few weeks, it's even better."
Saliba's childhood friend and French teammate Kylian Mbappe also spoke highly of him, saying that he has all the qualities to become a starter for the national team. "I have known him since we were kids," Mbappe said. "We played football together during our breaks at school, and he was already a big kid. I have watched him grow and develop into a key player for Arsenal this season. He is now getting minutes with the national team, and I have no doubt that he has what it takes to become a starter for Les Blues in the future."
It's clear that Saliba has the support and admiration of his teammates, and he will have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage in the upcoming Euro 2024. As for Deschamps, he will be keeping a close eye on Saliba's progress and hopes to see him continue to shine and improve.
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