If the French XV is expected by an entire country on Sunday evening against South Africa in the quarter-final of the World Cup, the French football team meets this Monday in Clairefontaine to prepare for its meetings ‘october. A trip to Amsterdam on Friday against the Netherlands as part of qualifying for Euro 2024 and a friendly match in Lille against Scotland on Tuesday evening. To kick off the week, Didier Deschamps faced the media this Monday in the auditorium to discuss the latest news about the selection.
“Kylian is not in a great period of efficiency where he has been very often. For a player like him, it shows a little more. Very awkward? He knows he could have done better. In the second half (against Rennes), he was more available and mobile. We are not going to repeat the history, but everything he had during this summer (truncated preparation after his conflict at PSG), he also has the right, in his infernal match pace, a period where he is less good and less effective. He is there, with a smile, happy to be in the French team. It would be good if he regained his effectiveness with us (smile). »
“The hierarchy of September, October, November, it is evolving. You mention the three, it’s more in the reflection in relation to the profile of the players. Olivier (Giroud) is still 37 years old, which leads his club coach (Milan) to manage him. He has playing time where he plays few entire matches, he is put on rest. In (my) choice, it is more the profile in relation to the opponent, the type of match in relation to which we can be confronted Olivier and Marcus (Thuram), they have a profile which is similar, Kolo is different. I always make my choices with the aim of being more dangerous for the opponent, in relation to a scenario and a situation. If it is a low block in the area, this can lead to a different choice (Giroud/Thuram). If there is a little more space, this may lead to another choice. There is one who starts, this leaves options during the match, he can benefit from the work of the one who started. »
“I was waiting for that one (smile). You will see Thursday or Friday. Jules (Koundé) will not be there, we will have to choose from the two or three who can play in that position. Jonathan has a smile, a smile. He’s not gambling with his life, it’s not a passing exam, especially not. Between what he did before the World Cup and today, that changes. This unknown at the international level was a little too great compared to what I expected. I can’t take away this immense disappointment that he may have, but if he’s there, it’s because he deserves it. »
“He has just scored two goals (with Bayern Munich), that’s good. Kingsley, for quite some time, has remained a relatively effective player. He doesn’t miss anything since he has been there for many years, even if he was absent due to injury. If he is there, it is because he has the ability to be a starter. As you have noticed, there is choice in the offensive sector, in competition. I’m not going to complain about having these options. »
“Very young player, he plays as a full-back. In Lyon he showed great things, he is at Chelsea facing greater competition. It’s an interesting profile, which needs progression, improvement, with good offensive capacity. He has improvements to see on the defensive level. He is young, already at Chelsea, even if the club is not in the top four of the Premier League, he has good potential, which suggests progression in the months to come. »
“Beyond the fact that it is a tendency to want an organization in several countries, there is the particularity of having three matches on the South American continent. I don’t know who will be affected, but it means that the three South Americans will have a home game. I don’t know who makes the decisions, but I like consistent decisions and on a sporting and ethical level, we’re not too far away. »
“There is nothing planned, we have a match on Tuesday (against Scotland), I know that there was this possible quarter-final on Sunday (against South Africa at the Stade de France) . We will be fully behind the XV of France. Making that happen (that players are in Saint-Denis), I’m not saying no, but it’s not ideal. Me ? No, I will work on Tuesday’s match. Just as the other time (during the opening match against the All Blacks in September), there were days between the first and second matches, I gave them a moment to relax. There, we find ourselves with the Scotland match, it is not the same configuration. »
