Didier Deschamps Confident William Saliba Will Play Despite Back Injury

France's head coach Didier Deschamps has assured fans that William Saliba is fit to play in their upcoming World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden, even though the Arsenal defender has missed some training due to back pain.

Saliba, who skipped France’s final group stage match against Norway, admitted he isn’t at full fitness due to a persistent back issue. Despite this, Deschamps remains calm about the situation and confident in his defender's ability to perform.

Deschamps Offers Reassurance Over Saliba's Condition

Speaking from New York, Deschamps explained that although Saliba isn’t at 100 percent, being close to that level is good enough. “It’s not something that stops him from playing freely,” said the coach, referencing Saliba’s strong performances in the first two matches of the tournament.

Special Recovery Plan In Place

The France medical team has set up a tailored recovery program to help Saliba manage his workload. This strategy includes resting him during the third group game after France secured early wins, which helped reduce physical strain.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot underlined how important Saliba is for the team and noted the challenge of managing such injuries while maintaining performance. “He is essential to our team,” Rabiot said. “Skipping training sessions to recover is necessary, and we hope he can keep up with the pace they’ve set because it’s not easy.”

Saliba’s Defensive Role Is Key

Since Euro 2024, Saliba has been a crucial part of France’s defense, partnering with Dayot Upamecano. Their solid backline helped secure commanding wins over Senegal and Iraq earlier in the tournament.

Deschamps praised Saliba’s qualities, highlighting his speed, intelligence, and presence in duels. He noted the defender’s ongoing back issue has been long-standing but hasn’t diminished his effectiveness. This season, Saliba made 50 appearances for Arsenal and contributed significantly to their Premier League title win.

Looking Ahead

France hopes Saliba will maintain his fitness at around 99 percent as they advance. The defender is expected to start against Sweden, and if France moves forward, their next opponent will be Paraguay, who caused an upset by knocking out Germany.