Deschamps relieved Saliba is injury-free
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- France's coach Didier Deschamps is relieved that defender William Saliba is injury-free ahead of the World Cup.
- Saliba played 120 minutes in the Champions League final despite previous concerns over a back injury.
- The Arsenal defender is considered crucial for France's World Cup campaign, joining teammates at the national training camp.
France's national team coach, Didier Deschamps, has expressed relief that key defender William Saliba is fit and available for selection. Concerns had previously arisen regarding a back injury the Arsenal player sustained during a demanding schedule with his club.
Deschamps confirmed that Saliba's back issue is not serious and that the player is ready to play if needed. "William is in good condition. We just need to manage his workload carefully. If he needs to play tomorrow, he can," the coach stated. This news comes as a significant boost for the French squad preparing for the World Cup.
Saliba recently played the full 120 minutes in the Champions League final, where Arsenal faced Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the demanding match, he emerged without further injury, dispelling earlier media reports that suggested he might miss the start of France's World Cup campaign. His presence is considered vital for the French defense, especially after his instrumental role in Arsenal's Premier League title win this season.
The 25-year-old defender has now reported to the national training camp. He is joined by several PSG players, including Bradley Barcola, Lucas Hernandez, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Warren Zaire-Emery, who also recently concluded their Champions League commitments. France is set to begin their World Cup Group I campaign against Senegal on June 16, followed by matches against Iraq and Norway.
William is in good condition. We just need to manage his workload carefully. If he needs to play tomorrow, he can.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.