Former France World Cup winner, Frank Leboeuf, has raised concerns about the lack of consistent playing time for Arsenal defender William Saliba under the management of Didier Deschamps. Despite Saliba’s impressive performances for Arsenal this season, Deschamps has only started him twice in France’s last 18 matches.
In a recent friendly match against Germany, Saliba was left on the bench, sparking criticism from Leboeuf and other football pundits. Deschamps’ decision to not utilize Saliba has raised questions about his defensive choices for the French national team.
Leboeuf emphasized the importance of finding the right defensive pairing for France, suggesting that Saliba’s strong performances should warrant him a regular spot in the starting lineup. “Didier has to find the right four players to play as defenders. When he does so, we will be very strong,” Leboeuf expressed to ESPN. “I don’t understand why Saliba isn’t playing all the time.”
As France prepares for their upcoming friendly against Chile, all eyes will be on Deschamps’ selection and whether Saliba will finally get the opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage. Will Deschamps heed the advice of Leboeuf and give Saliba the chance to prove himself as a key player for France? Only time will tell.