After a long silence, Didier Deschamps spoke to the press, returning to the 2022 World Cup, but also to the FFF crisis.
By Isabelle Missiaen for Le Point (with AFP)
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“On lives in a time when we would be called upon to express ourselves. I don’t work like that, ”explains the captain of the Blues in the columns of the Parisian, to justify his long silence since the World Cup final in Qatar, lost to Argentina. Didier Deschamps wanted to take the time “to analyze things with as many elements as possible” before “speaking”. But in this great interview, no subject is avoided. Neither on its players, nor on the future of the France team, nor on the turmoil that has recently shaken the French Football Federation.
While the FFF got rid of its president, Noël Le Graët, accused of harassment, Didier Deschamps talks about his relationship with his former boss: “I will always be grateful to him for having entrusted me with the position of coach, for having renewed, then, his confidence”, he declares, adding: “In view of all that he has accomplished before for the FFF and our football, it is really regrettable for him to find himself in this situation. . »
“Four or five players were not in the best mood”
His extension at the head of the Blues, Didier Deschamps explains it simply: “Like any coach, I was subject to an obligation of result. If I’m still here, it’s because the objectives (semi-final of the World Cup) have been achieved. ” Asked to analyze his team’s defeat in the final against Argentina, the coach said that “four or five players were not in the best physical or emotional condition”.
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Hence his decision to release two “from the 41e minute”, Dembélé and Giroud, and two others “at the 71e “, Hernandez and Griezmann. But the coach qualifies the responsibilities: “We were generally below, not only the first four outgoing. Faced with a rival at the top, it pays cash. »
“Kylian is indeed the best”
Who to replace Lloris as captain? After the decision of the goalkeeper of the Blues to leave the France team, it is up to Didier Deschamps to find him a successor. “I know which players can be. But it will go through discussions with them, ”he says. “Kylian can be, of course,” he adds, before declaring all his admiration for the young player: “For me, Kylian is indeed the best. What he achieves compared to others, at his age, is exceptional. »
Finally, when asked about the departure of Karim Benzema from the France team, Didier Deschamps makes things clear : “No player was delighted with his departure as I could hear or read. Karim knows it too. I don’t know who spreads such rumours. It’s not even controversy anymore, it’s malevolence. »READ ALSO Monday’s tackle – The future will be bright for the Blues!
However, Karim Benzema was quick to question those comments. On Instagram, the Real striker published a screenshot showing remarks from the interview, adding the phrase “But what audacity”, embellished with a clown emoticon. He also shared the video of a French snapchatteur, Ritchie, who repeats the word “liar, you are a liar”. Above this excerpt, the scorer wrote: “Sacré Didier… Good night. »