Arsenal defender William Saliba is at risk of missing out on starting spot for France at this year’s World Cup despite multiple fitness doubts over central defenders.
Paris Saint-Germain central defender Presnel Kimpembe is out of the tournament through injury while Manchester United ’s Raphael Varane is hopeful of recovering fitness after suffering a muscular injury against Chelsea last month. Jules Kounde of Barcelona has also been sidelined by injury in recent weeks.
However, despite a spate of key absences and fitness doubts in the position – Saliba may still miss out on selection for the World Cup opener for Les Bleus against Australia. Reports from France are claiming that Liverpool ’s Ibrahima Konate is likely to partner Dayot Upamecano of Bayern Munich at the heart of the French defence.
It has been reported by RMC Sport in France that France boss Didier Deschamps has been deploying his preferred XI in multiple training session matches, which sees former RB Leipzig teammates Konate and Upamecano partner each other in the heart of defence.
Upamecano’s Bayern Munich teammates Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are the overwhelming favourites to start at right-back and left-back respectively. Saliba started three of France’s six Nations League matches – coming on as a substitute in two other games – but is at risk of missing out despite his fine club form and injuries elsewhere.
France have been beset by multiple injury problems for this tournament with their absent defenders being added to by midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba – both vital in their 2018 World Cup success – both missing out on the tournament in Qatar.
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It is claimed by the same reports that Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot will play alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in the heart of midfield, while the latter’s Real Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga and Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi, formerly of Arsenal, both pushing for starting spots.
The France team is likely to be a little top-heavy in attack, with a forward trio of Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe playing behind and around central striker Olivier Giroud. RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku is missing the tournament through injury while there are also fitness doubts over Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
France are among the favourites to lift this year’s tournament and retain the World Cup title and will kick-off the defence of their title against Australia on Tuesday. They will then face Denmark and Tunisia to conclude their group stage campaign.
France suggest starting XI: Lloris, Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, Lucas Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.
