Deschamps' explanations on the absence of the captain of the Blues

He arrived eight minutes late. “A printer problem”he says as an apology in front of the FFF auditorium. Didier Deschamps knew he was eagerly awaited, after the news of Kylian Mbappé's absence leaked just before his media meeting. The subject surrounding the team captain swept away everything in its path. Like an explosion. Exit the premiere of Lucas Chevalier, the context around France-Israel or even the return of Adrien Rabiot. Themes relegated to the background.

Never in the history of the France team has such an established player been exempted, for various reasons, from two rallies. Obviously, all the questions revolved around the topic of the day. “I had several discussions with him, I thought about it and I made this decision about this gathering. It's better like this. I'm not going to argue. What I can tell you is that Kylian wanted to come. It is not the extra-sporting problems that come into play. It's a one-off choice. »

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“He wanted to come, it’s my decision”: do you believe Deschamps on the absence of Mbappé in Blue?

In his argument, Didier Deschamps walks on eggshells, aware of the highly flammable issue. “I know you’ll bounce back.” I'm not going to say more for the simple reason that we have a training camp with two matches (Israel and Italy). It's my decision, it's better this way. I take responsibility for this decision. It's my responsibility. » Raised on the fact that it is better for the player or the French team, « DD » replied tersely: “It’s better that way. » The answers are short. Total discomfort.

« He is in a period where he is less effective”

Didier Deschamps

Asked whether he was considering relieving him of captaincy, the coach did not close the door. Which is already a trend in Deschamps language. “Today I am not going to ask myself a question that is not on the agenda. Everything in its time. » He could have refuted this hypothesis, but he did not.

Wishing not to say anything about his performances at Real Madrid, he dropped the armor a little on his number 9 position: “Many have spoken out on this (Benzema, Henry, in recent days). He has already done it before, in Paris and with us. This has always been the case. We talk about Kylian with all his qualities. He is in a period where he is less effective and from there he is judged a lot on that. It makes sense. » Move around, there's nothing to see. Didier Deschamps will not say more, not very comfortable on the subject. One certainty remains. Without being there, Kylian Mbappé will still be talked about during this international sequence in November.