Didier Deschamps will not be unhappy to draw a line under this year 2024. From the first to the last of the gatherings, through a lackluster Euro 2024 – despite a journey to the semi-final -, the coach of the Blues has certainly lived his the most delicate calendar year since the start of his mandate.
And the last two months have reinforced this impression, with the international retirement of Antoine Griezmann and
the setbacks of Kylian Mbappé. For the second time in a row, the captain of the France team is absent from an international gathering.
Mbappé was not sanctioned
In this context, two interpretations were possible: the hypothesis of a sanction of Deschamps after the events of last month, where Mbappé played again three days after having given up the training, and the possibility of seeing the coach protect his player in a period extremely difficult on a personal level.
Bixente Lizarazu clearly put forward these two hypotheses, in front of a fairly annoyed Didier Deschamps. The complicity between the two men nevertheless forced DD to drop a few balls. And the technician assures him: Mbappé is not sanctioned.
Mbappé in a delicate period
“It is factual that he is in a complicated situation and that I am behind him. It’s true that he’s going through a complicated period. Despite everything, he wanted to come. I say it and I say it again. I think it’s better for now that he’s not here. Better for him. Everyone has the right to have a complicated period, there is the physical aspect and there is also the psychological aspect.”
“There are always interpretations. Whether I speak or not speak. I am not going to enter into debates that lead to nothing. Sometimes it’s good to say more, and sometimes it’s good not to say too much.” Deschamps added on TF1.
