“That’s how it is.” : it is in these terms, repeated several times, that Didier Deschamps justified
the absence of Kylian Mbappé for this new gathering of the France team. We have known the Blues coach to be more skillful in his language elements. And above all more precise.
Deschamps, however, added an important element: Mbappé wanted to come this time. A way of confirming, if necessary, that the former Parisian had chosen not to come last month… “I had several exchanges with him. I thought about it and made this decision about this gathering. I think it’s better like this. I’m not going to argue. What I can tell you, two things: Kylian wanted to come, and it’s not the extra-sporting problems that come into play from the moment the presumption of innocence exists. “It’s a timely choice for this gathering with the two matches that await us.”
Unease around Kylian Mbappé
In this context, with such vague official discourse, there are many possible interpretations. Is Deschamps protecting his star, mired in sporting and extra-sporting problems? It’s a possibility. The two men have always maintained a great relationship of trust. And Mbappé’s situation would not have exempted him from his appearance in front of the media, even if the exercise is not obligatory.
By not appearing before the press when he would have been summoned, the attacker, already singled out for his detached attitude during his last conference, would have been accused of avoiding his responsibilities as captain. A sum of elements to which is added the nature of the next match, a France-Israel meeting with political overtones. Muddy terrain for a divisive player.
Has Deschamps let go of Mbappé?
It is also possible that Didier Deschamps does not have double-talk, and that his words are therefore true. In this case, how did Kylian Mbappé welcome such a decision? This non-summoning, in the extra-sporting context which is his, would recall the gradual sidelining of Karim Benzema after the Valbuena affair.
“I only have hard decisions. Several times I had to make important, tough decisions, whatever you want, said Deschamps. Behind every player, there is a human being too. When I make lists for a competition, I don’t just make people happy. It’s my responsibility to make the decisions. I’m not going to put a slider. I repeat, it is my responsibility, I fully assume it. I live with this and each time I have to make more or less harsh decisions. Everything depends on the sensitivity of each person.”
Deschamps’ strange statements
“ We may not agree on everythingalso thundered Deschamps, in front of a stunned audience. These are discussions I can have with the players. I’m not here for players to tell me that I’m the prettiest and the best. I listen. I have always benefited from these discussions, whether individual or collective, by protecting all the players. This is why I can have a lot of discussions that can go beyond the purely field sphere, because they know very well that we know who spoke if something comes out. These exchanges are important to me. With hindsight, tranquility, as much lucidity as possible, I make the decisions that seem to me to be the best.” Feigned or real intransigence? Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé are the only ones to know it.
In any case, we will have known the technician to be more accommodating with his star. Including on the sporting side, where the coach did not deny the striker’s current difficulties. “He is in a period where he is less effective, obviously. He is judged a lot on that and it’s quite logical”. Much more logical, indeed, than seeing the captain of a major selection miss two consecutive rallies without injury.
