Didier Deschamps Confident About William Saliba's Fitness Despite Back Issue Ahead of France vs Sweden
France coach Didier Deschamps has reassured fans that William Saliba is ready for their World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden, even though the Arsenal defender has missed some training due to a persistent back injury.
Speaking in New York ahead of the knockout clash, Deschamps acknowledged that Saliba isn’t at full fitness but insisted it won’t stop him from performing. "Whether he is not at 100 per cent, yes, but if he is at 99 per cent that’s fine," Deschamps said. "It doesn’t undermine him or prevent him from playing freely like he has in the first two matches." Saliba had to sit out France’s final group game versus Norway because of the back issue, which he himself admitted affected his performance level.
Recovery Plan to Manage Load
The French medical team has set up a tailored recovery plan for Saliba, limiting his workload to help with the injury. This was why he was rested during the last group stage match after France secured early qualification. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot stressed how important Saliba is to the squad and how carefully he needs to be managed. "He is essential to our team," Rabiot said. "He has to skip training sometimes to recover. I hope he can keep up the pace with what they have planned because it’s not simple."
Key Defensive Leader for Les Bleus
Saliba has become a crucial player for Deschamps, partnering with Dayot Upamecano since Euro 2024 and forming a solid defensive line. Their partnership helped France secure convincing wins over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0) at the tournament. Deschamps praised Saliba’s qualities, describing him as a strong, intelligent defender who reassures his teammates. "He has had this back issue for some time," the coach added. "He’s good in duels, fast, and smart. He’s a true defender." Saliba’s consistency was evident throughout the season, playing 50 times for Arsenal and helping them clinch the Premier League title.
Looking Ahead
France’s staff will hope Saliba can maintain his fitness without worsening the injury during the rest of the World Cup. Maintaining that near-perfect condition is critical after a demanding schedule. The defender is expected to start against Sweden in the round of 32. If France advance, they will meet Paraguay, who caused an upset by knocking out Germany in the previous round.
