William Saliba has an opportunity to show France boss Didier Deschamps why he should be preferred over the likes of Dayot Upamecano at Euro 2024 when Arsenal take on Bayern Munich next month.
Deschamps did not hold back in his criticism of Saliba in a press conference on Monday after being questioned over his lack of game time with France. Despite having an excellent season at Arsenal the 23-year-old was an unused substitute against Germany on the weekend.
“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much,” Deschamps said. “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.”
Saliba has started just four matches for his national team since returning to the Gunners and cementing his place at the Emirates. The centre-back played just 27 minutes at the World Cup in Qatar, with Upamecano, Raphael Varane, Jules Kounde, Axel Disasi and Ibrahima Konate preferred.
However, he will now have the opportunity to show Deschamps why he should be picked over at least Upamecano when Arsenal take on Bayern in the Champions League quarter-final next month. The Gunners host their German opponents on April 9 before making the trip to Bavaria eight days later.
If Saliba impresses, keeps a clean sheet and puts in two dominant performances, then he will feel like he has every chance of being more involved for France at Euro 2024. Equally, should Upamecano struggle and not have the greatest game, he may lower his chances of being a mainstay. As well as that, Saliba is set to go up against Varane and Disasi once each before the end of the season.
France face Chile in their second and final friendly of the March international break this evening and Saliba could be handed a rare start by Deschamps. Saliba has made 38 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season and has been a standout performer in their Premier League title push.
