Saliba’s performance for Arsenal in the Premier League has earned him recognition as one of the top defenders in recent years. However, his international career with France has not been as convincing, according to manager Deschamps.
Despite his impressive displays for Arsenal, Saliba received a harsh critique from Deschamps, who advised him to be more composed when playing for Les Bleus.
In anticipation of France’s match against Chile, Deschamps stated, “He is having a good season, but there are certain aspects of his game that I am not particularly fond of. When he has played for France, it hasn’t always gone smoothly. He is not currently favored in the team hierarchy, but he is still part of the squad.”
This season, Saliba has made 28 appearances in the Premier League and has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal’s defense.
However, the 23-year-old has struggled to make a significant impact at the international level, with Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Benjamin Pavard, and Ibrahima Konate all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Since his debut for France in March 2022, Saliba has only started six out of 12 matches, with his most recent appearance being a 2-2 draw against Greece in November 2023.
During this time, Deschamps criticized Saliba’s situation at Arsenal, claiming that there is a lack of competition for places, which affects his performance for the national team.
Deschamps stated in November, “At the international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve made a lot of rotations. He doesn’t have the same psychological mindset as he does at his club, where he doesn’t question whether he will play on the weekend.”
“When he plays for us, he feels the need to perform well because there are others waiting for their chance. His psychological state is different from that at his club. However, he possesses all the necessary qualities to take the next step.”