France manager Didier Deschamps has revealed why he has opted against replacing the injured Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, with the Real Madrid man ruled out of the tournament.
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial was left out of the original squad, and was overlooked again after RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku was injured in training last week. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani was called up to the squad instead.
Deschamps once again decided against including Martial in his squad, despite now being without 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema. He insisted that he would not be replacing the Los Blancos star with another forward and has now explained why he has made that decision.
When asked why by Telefoot why he had not called up another player, he replied: "Because I decided, simply… this is a quality group, united on and off the pitch. I have confidence in them."
Martial's snub will come as a disappointment to the United frontman, with the 26-year-old having scored four times in his last six appearances for Erik ten Hag's side. However, the striker has struggled with injuries already this term and has started just two Premier League for the Reds.
The Frenchman scored a brace off the bench in the defeat to Manchester City last month, with his other goals coming in the Europa League victory over Omonia Nicosia and EFL Cup triumph over Aston Villa.
Martial has not played for his country since September 2021, despite having previously been a regular in Deschamps' squads. He has made a total of 30 appearances for France during his career, registering two goals and eight assists.
PrinceMartin
0
Yes... He's put the ball past your post on many occasions 😁
like how kevin debruyne also does that😂😂😂😂😂
Tutcdeorty
0
He will be sacked soon
nindkortyz
1
He's lazy
vocaemnstz
0
Deschamps sounds arrogant. Why wouldn't you want to have your squad with 1 less player - irrespective of who that player is. I can see the arrogance being their downfall, led by none other than the player who's a master at it.
KennedyJohannes
1
even though u don't want to call up Martial instead you could have called upon Saint Maximin he deserves to play for France
Kingbobbyfemie20
0
Martial is overrated.
Yes... He's put the ball past your post on many occasions 😁
skilz5
3
No hard feelings. Some great players never played at the World Cup. For Martial, it's more of injuries than being overlooked. He should focus on recovering fully to give us at least 3 seasons of injury-free top-class performance. We know he can.
zooklmoprt
1
martial whole career has not been good and injuries make it worst he has to be consistent he is not that's a fact the coach made his decision like it or not there are far better players in terms of consistency than martial fact again
fembcmsuz
3
Martial is overrated.
intruder101
1
This man is stupid I trust martial If he gets a little time in that squad he will link up well with mbappe and dembele But coaches in the national team this days don’t like united players even when they are doing well
you are calling a manager who has won a world cup stupid 😂😂 ooh great one
doubekmpu
2
I didn't want to be racist but these black players will learn lesson to play to their countries origins
PaulusSihova
0
WELL IT'S FINE WE ACCEPT THAT HE DECIDED AGAINST REPLACING BIG BENZ BUT I ALSO THINK HE MIGHT REGRET IT. HE WAS POSED TO CALL LACA OR TONY IMO.
jozcdekmnp
1
This man is stupid I trust martial If he gets a little time in that squad he will link up well with mbappe and dembele But coaches in the national team this days don’t like united players even when they are doing well
Laackmrsuy
2
Martial should put more effort to his Manchester United theme firstly before looking national called up
fiyacikmt
2
Martial is a lazy player.
fiyacikmt
3
France will get knocked out in group stage or the next stage.
BrintonC
0
Sour grapes...!!!
fitdeioy
0
Soyaceost
0
Soon no one replaced Benzema
Tiabckprsz
3
no doubt the world cup holders will be eliminated from the tournament in group stages
Hope68
1
If it was England 🏴 they would have call him, you don’t need to be a regular starter in England. Just look at Phillip now he was called when they know he hasn’t start a game for man city
Redheartliverpool
1
🔥🔥🔥
Rockie_18
1
You will regret that Deschamps
mosyyman223
4
is like this France coach is wicked
ruuacmry
0
I can see coach of France will be sacked
TheUnitedOne
0
I assume he's trying, but I don't think he has what it takes to reach the absolute top, sadly.
OOH2
4
Don’t mind him Matial just keep working on yourself, your time will come