French coach Didier Deschamps indicated that if he had to do it again he would have no objection to recalling Karim Benzema.
Even when he is a thousand miles from France and is no longer concerned with high-level football, Karim Benzema sees his name come back into the debates when it comes to the French selection. Before the Blues’ match against Belgium, Didier Deschamps spoke about his former striker.
Speaking for L’Equipe, DD indicated that he had no regrets over calling up KB9 for Euro 2021 after having snubbed him for six full years due to a personal conflict. “If I had to do it again, I would do it again, he thundered. For me, Karim’s return brought something to the team (…) I take time to reflect on my decision and when I act it is always for the good of the team.
For Deschamps, players must “stay in their place”
Deschamps also has no remorse about not having warned his executives about Benzema’s return:
“That it reshaped the balance of the group, yes. That I didn’t warn the other players is also true. They must always stay in their place. But it’s the early elimination that brings out all the negative”. He is obviously referring to the exit from the road against Switzerland during the Euro in question.
Deschamps and Benzema have never been able to get along.
Called upon to explain this failed tournament with hindsight, Deschamps pointed out a certain arrogance among his troops at the time : “We may have thought we were too good because we were world champions. There was a confidence that could have turned into complacency at times. And the DNA of this team was solidity and it was shattered because we couldn’t respond athletically.”
