Didier Deschamps’ answers

Why is Kylian Mbappé absent from this gathering?
Didier Deschamps: I spoke with Kylian and given his uncertain situation after his entry into play yesterday… There are questions. He has a problem that is not serious, but requires treatment to recover properly. I’m not here to take risks. This is why Kylian is not on the list today.

When did you realize that it was over for Antoine Griezmann?
What can I tell you about Grizou? My darling. This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was after a reflection which matured and came to fruition, like other players before him. Given his career, he started at 18, having busy seasons, very rarely injured. Today, he is reaching an age where it is a natural and logical question (to ask the question). With all the competitions, between the clubs and the French team, there is physical and psychological fatigue. It’s a decision that he accepts and which suits him well. In the sense that it is not constrained and forced.

It’s a page that is turning.

Didier Deschamps on Antoine Griezmann’s international retirement.

You can’t have all the elements, I’m not going to get into discussions with the players, it didn’t happen in two days. He thought about it during the last competition (Euro in Germany). As happened to Hugo (Lloris) and Raphaël (Varane). When we talk about physical fatigue, there is the sequence of calendars, but there is also psychological fatigue, which we do not talk about enough, with constraints too. When you reach the end of your career, you don’t have the same priorities at 33 as at 25, without getting into your private life. As always, I had a very nice discussion with him, but I had Antoine in front of me who had come full circle in his thoughts. I can only respect his choice, having had the privilege of having Antoine on and off the pitch since 2014. It’s funny today because he has been with us almost systematically. It’s his decision. I can only thank him for everything he was able to do in the France team. He is a very good example for young people to follow because he did not have a linear and fluid path. It’s a page that is turning.

Also read“Thank you for all my Grizou”: Deschamps pays tribute to retired Griezmann

Did the fact that he was no longer an indisputable starter play a role in his decision?
This is not a trigger. Even if I made choices, not always easy… Antoine since 2014, the only big match he has not started is against Spain (semi-final of Euro 2024). There is no downgrading on my part, even if I have a privileged relationship, but when I make this decision, I think it is best for the France team. In September, he was scheduled to start one of the two matches… This goes beyond September or the fact that he was not captain a year and a half ago. If Antoine may have been disappointed occasionally (by not being captain), it did not last a day. Being captain has significant constraints and he knows it. He needs this tranquility, freedom and spontaneity on the pitch. All players, at some point, have this question in their heads, it takes more or less time to arrive at a clear decision.

I won’t tell you who is captain and vice-captain, I have to tell those interested first.

Didier Deschamps

Did you try to dissuade him?
I didn’t have to convince him, he had his place. It’s his decision. I didn’t have Antoine who was thinking or asking questions. Without this decision, he would be here today.

How to replace him with the Blues?
He is difficult to replace because he has a very specific register which allows him to play in several positions and in several tactics. We are not necessarily going to change the system. But we are not going to replace it with a snap of our fingers.

Also readAlain Giresse on Griezmann’s retirement: “France and football need players like him”

Is retirement what has moved you the most since you took office?
It would be disrespectful to Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane (to say that it is the most striking) but there were similarities. I also think of Olivier Giroud. Antoine arrived in 2014 and he could have arrived before his little escapade (a nightclub trip with the Espoirs). Human relationships are something very important to me and I have a special relationship with him. I cannot remain indifferent to the discussions we have had all these years until this last discussion as a player.

Does his departure open the question of leadership in selection in October?
I won’t tell you who is captain and vice-captain, I have to tell those interested first. N’Golo (Kanté) is not there because he had a physical problem the day before yesterday (adductors) and this requires treatment. After the World Cup, there were relays that were taken up. With the absence of Kylian and Antoine, that leaves room and that doesn’t happen by snapping your fingers. I have a much younger group that needs to assert itself. There are different forms of leadership – expressive, technical – inevitably there will be room.

I don’t have the slightest doubt about the involvement of Kylian (Mbappé), but in September, I’m not going to go into details, he wasn’t in the best conditions.

Didier Deschamps

Kylian Mbappé appeared detached in September. Do you feel it too?
There is no concern about his commitment and I have discussed it with him several times between gatherings. Through the words used, the interpretation we make of them, Kylian was not in the best psychological conditions for different reasons. I don’t have the slightest doubt about Kylian’s involvement, but in September, I’m not going to go into details, he wasn’t in the best conditions.

Do you feel even more pressured since you took office?
The position I have had since 2012 is still on display, I live with it. I’m used to this. I will not hide from you now that if there were a more serene environment, it would be better for the France team.

Also read“It’s an excellent example for the generation that will follow”: the words of Guy Stéphan to pay tribute to Antoine Griezmann

What about the return of Christopher Nkunku?
He hasn’t been here for a while because he suffered a series of injuries. He doesn’t have excessive playing time at Chelsea but every time he has lots of energy when he plays. In his progress, injuries were a significant obstacle, but a string of good performances should allow him to return to the highest level.

Adrien Rabiot still needs time. His last starting match was July 9 (at the Euro), we shouldn’t rush either.

Didier Deschamps

Why is Lucas Chevalier, brilliant with Lille, absent
He had a “correct plus” match against Real Madrid (smile). He is getting closer and closer but the three who are there have not lowered their level. I didn’t need Wednesday’s game to know his potential. This places an obligation to remain efficient for the three who are there and it does not prevent me from opening the door for him later.

Were you tempted to take Adrien Rabiot?
We spoke several times, between the moment he started the specific work, the collective training, but he still needs time. His last starting match was July 9 (at the Euro), we shouldn’t rush either. It was wiser (not to take it), if all goes well, it will be available again in November.

Are Millot and Akliouche far from the France team?
Yes and no, it is linked to competition. They are in Espoirs where the team is relatively young. But we must maintain what they are doing over time. As for Wesley Fofana, he has an adapted program with Chelsea and he plays in the Premier League. Since last month he has been able to play one match after another while performing well.

You will face Israel on neutral ground in Budapest. Do you fear for the safety of the Blues?
We are adapting to the situation but we have a football match to play. Everyone is working to ensure that it can be played out in good conditions.