France manager Didier Deschamps has now been discussing the different challenges William Saliba faces whilst away from Arsenal.
Deschamps was speaking via RMC Sports and explained that Saliba simply has different pressures whilst away with his national team.
The manager suggested that the uncertainty over Saliba’s spot with France is having a negative impact on his performances.
Deschamps said that Saliba has reassurances at Arsenal that he’s going to start every week, but it’s different case with France.
He said: “He hasn’t had much game time with us.
“He performs very well at club level. With the national team, he wasn’t always in the best conditions in matches where I rotated him around a lot.
“He’s not in the same psychological situation at club level, where he doesn’t ask himself whether he’s going to play at the weekend.
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“When he gets game time with us, he tells himself that he has to perform well because there are other players behind him.
“He’s not in the same psychological situation with his club. He has everything he needs to take the next step.”
Deschamps does think Arsenal’s Saliba has all the attributes to succeed for France
These comments will probably be particularly interesting to Arsenal fans who must often wonder why Saliba doesn’t play as consistently for his country.
Marcel Desailly didn’t hold back in labelling Saliba’s ability as slightly overrated recently.
And that idea probably does stem from his differing performances for France.
Deschamps does seem fairly confident that these discrepancies are linked to the defender’s confidence.
And given how imperious Saliba has proved in the toughest of circumstances for Arsenal, it’s surely something that he will overcome.
Saliba is one of the first names on the team sheet for Mikel Arteta, a position he may well soon hold for his country.
France have two remaining qualifiers in this coming break against Gibraltar and Greece.
And although France have already secured their spot at the Euros, Saliba will see these games as a key opportunity.