France defender William Saliba ‘fine’ after injury scare, Didier Deschamps confirms

Saliba linked up with the remainder of his France colleagues on Tuesday at their pre-tournament base just outside Paris, having turned out for Arsenal in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend.

France take on Ivory Coast in Nantes in a World Cup warm-up fixture on Thursday, though Deschamps is likely to ease Saliba back into action as a safeguard.

“William is okay and will be handled carefully. If he had been required to play tomorrow, he would have played,” Deschamps stated.

Deschamps, who will stand down as manager following the World Cup, indicated he would rotate his squad for the forthcoming friendlies. Les Bleus are also set to face Northern Ireland in Lille next Monday.

Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are among five PSG players in the squad who Deschamps will closely monitor after their victory in Budapest on Saturday.

“I will manage the six players involved in the Champions League, particularly those who started, given what is to come,” Deschamps added.

He further noted that captain Kylian Mbappe is “in superb condition, both physically and mentally” despite the forward enduring a challenging season with Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old has yet to secure a major trophy in two campaigns at the Spanish club, despite his prolific scoring record.

Mbappe’s dedication has been called into question after he went on holiday while nursing a hamstring injury near the end of the season.

“What happens at club level remains at club level. Here, it is about the national team. With the group and those present for the early sessions, he has put in the work,” Deschamps commented.

“He has experience that others lack. This will be his third World Cup. He understands how challenging a World Cup can be.”