Deschamps rests key men for dead rubber
DiDier Deschamps refused to panic before this World cup when injuries started to topple his star players like dominoes. he knows precisely what is required to win the tournament as a player and as a coach. panic does not feature but talent does and France have vast reserves of that. so the unavailability of forwards Karim Benzema and christopher Nkunku, midfielders paul pogba and N’Golo Kante, and defenders presnel Kimpembe and Lucas hernandez have provided opportunities for others.
France are already safely into the last 16 with six points from two games and Deschamps is expected to change at least half the team when they complete their Group D fixtures against Tunisia today. some are looking upon the injury crisis as a necessary catalyst for regeneration, with the crop of young players coming through earning comparisons to those who emerged to win the World cup in 1998.
‘i wasn’t particularly young at the time, i was already in my 30s,’ said Deschamps. actually, he was 29 when he captained France to the title on home soil, 24 years ago, and one of the wise heads offering stability to ambitious youngsters including Thierry henry (20), patrick Vieira (21) and David Trezeguet (20).
Zinedine Zidane and robert pires were in their mid-20s, but, according to the France boss, the secret is always in the blend of players, and this remains the case. ‘We have some senior players injured and the younger players don’t have so much international experience but they are top players and they have everything needed to play at the top level,’ said Deschamps.
‘They need to be guided by more experienced senior players in the squad but they have great potential.
‘You need quality players, you need good team spirit and you need a good balance between younger and more senior players.’ For example, midfielders aurelien Tchouameni and eduardo camavinga, who both play for real madrid are now two of the young players in the squad being called upon.
Deschamps has tried playing camavinga at left back in a training game to test his suitability as possible cover for the injured Lucas hernandez.
Others emerging include William saliba of arsenal and Youssouf Fofana of monaco. Kylian mbappe, of paris saint-Germain, is only 23, although now in the bracket of those who could sit out a game of limited importance to keep fresh for the last 16. ‘Kylian doesn’t have a big ego, that’s not true,’ said Deschamps when asked if it was a struggle between fitness and ego, for a striker with eyes on the Golden Boot.
‘he is a key player but he’s a team player and he’s not 18 any more, he has more experience but he will always want to play, that’s natural.
‘i am going to have to manage the squad and i always have things to take into account, information about the players, their fitness and how they feel, but yes there will be changes.’
Deschamps dismissed speculation that Benzema could yet make an unexpected return to the World cup.
The Ballon d’Or winner pulled out with a thigh injury on the eve of the tournament and was ruled out for three weeks by real madrid. he has gone on holiday to the island of reunion and seems a long way from being ready to play in the World cup but no replacement has been called up so technically he remains in the France squad. ‘That’s not something i’m thinking about. i talked to Karim after he left and i know the situation. i heard how long he was going to take to recover,’ added Deschamps.