Dembélé to start against Northern Ireland, Deschamps confirms

France coach Didier Deschamps has indicated that Ousmane Dembélé will start in the upcoming friendly against Northern Ireland, playfully stating he would start "like ten other players." Deschamps also suggested that the team for Monday's match will largely mirror the lineup for France's World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16.

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Yes, like ten other players.

"Probably, not necessarily a copy-paste, you never know, but I'm not going to change six or seven players between those who will start tomorrow and the match on the 16th against Senegal," Deschamps told Téléfoot on Sunday. He confirmed that Dembélé, along with Désiré Doué and William Saliba, who had less playing time after the Champions League final, are all available for the friendly.

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Yes, probably, not necessarily a copy-paste we don't know yet but I'm not going to change six or seven players between those who will start tomorrow and the match on the 16th against Senegal.

Regarding William Saliba, who had been managing a back issue and played 120 minutes in the Champions League final, Deschamps reassured the public. "He is being managed by the medical staff. We are also managing him based on how he feels... but it's something he's had for several weeks, which hasn't stopped him from playing all the matches with Arsenal, including that 120-minute final," the coach said. Saliba is expected to be a starter for the World Cup.

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He is being managed by the medical staff. We are also managing him based on how he feels... but it's something he's had for several weeks, which hasn't stopped him from playing all the matches with Arsenal, including that 120-minute final.