Malian national team coach, Eric Chelle, has made headlines by leaving out Tottenham Hotspur star Yves Bissouma from the squad for upcoming friendlies against Mauritania and Nigeria. Despite rumors of an injury, Chelle insists that other midfielders are simply in better form than Bissouma.
The decision comes after Bissouma’s lackluster performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was accused of lacking dedication while representing Mali. Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou, had even named him in the starting lineup for a recent match against Fulham.
Chelle addressed the media, explaining, “Like many players, he deserves to be selected, it’s just a choice. In my diamond, there are players right now who are slightly safer. That doesn’t mean he won’t be called again.”
In response, Bissouma has taken to social media, unfollowing the Malian Football Federation and deleting all photos of himself in the Mali jersey from his personal account.
As Mali prepares to face off against the Super Eagles in an international friendly, the absence of Bissouma has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.