The French team will be on deck at the beginning of September with the playoffs for the European Championship. The Blues will face Ireland on September 7 before a friendly against Germany five days later. International matches will resume a month later with a trip to the Netherlands (October 13) and another friendly match against Scotland at home (October 17). A busy program mentioned by Didier Deschamps in a long interview with L’Équipe. The opportunity for the boss of the Blues to discuss many subjects.
“DD” first seemed relieved by the end of the showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Paris SG, the player having recently returned to the group after being sidelined. “The situation was complicated, it has normalized. So much the better. Everyone wins. I chatted with him. It’s very good for the France team of course, but also for the club and for him, “said the coach who has no clear opinion regarding the Parisian’s participation in the Olympics next summer a few days. only after the Euro. “It’s not me who will decide. I am well aware that the Olympics are a major event with stakes beyond the sporting framework. But the Euro remains very important. It is a FIFA date where the players are available. Then there will be the question of the Olympics, which are not on FIFA dates. The last ones who will have decision-making power are the club presidents.
Concerning the Hopes, Deschamps did not wish to comment on the ousting of Sylvain Ripoll with whom he has “a very good relationship”. “It’s a decision that was taken by my president Philippe Diallo”, explained the former midfielder, denouncing “the masquerade of the last Olympics” and the regrettable stubbornness of club presidents in not having let their players participate. at the event in Tokyo.
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Assuring that he did not try to use his influence so that Ripoll would be retained (“No, no. If, at most, I am asked my opinion …”), Deschamps also mentioned the imminent arrival of Thierry Henry, considering that it was a good idea. “Why wouldn’t she be? Thierry is very happy to have been chosen. He was motivated, I’m happy for him, he’s someone I’ve always had a good relationship with, with a lot of respect. Even if I am not part of his inner circle, ”insisted the 1998 world champion.
Deschamps was also questioned about his situation at the Federation and the departure of Noël Le Graët, to whom he was very close. “I am not isolated. At one point, the coach, he finds himself alone. And I love being alone,” he said before highlighting his record: “The reality is that if I’m still here, it’s not for my beautiful eyes, it’s because the results were very often there. We cannot have the same closeness as with President Le Graët.
Outside the France team, Deschamps also mentioned the arrival of Saudi Arabia on the football chessboard by wondering about this wave of departures. “I understand that it makes a lot of players think and make the decision to go there. There is such a difference economically. I’m not going to throw stones. It is a new extraordinary reality. Will it last? added the coach, cutting short any rumors announcing it there: “They don’t have my number (smiles). And then I’m not available. »
Finally, the boss of the Blues mentioned certain complicated situations of internationals, such as that of Pogba, injured but who remains “potentially” selectable. Just like Benjamin Mendy, cleared by the British justice after being accused of rape: “The court decisions are binding on us and I believe that we must respect them and not comment on them. Benjamin hasn’t been able to play for two years. He wants to renew the thread of his career in Lorient. From the moment the justice found him not guilty, I do not see why I should consider him as non-selectable, even if his return is not on the agenda.
