Didier Deschamps has suggested William Saliba still needs to develop before he can become a starter for France.

As we approach the end of William Saliba’s second season in the Arsenal team, you won’t find many Gunners fans willing to trade the defender for any other centre-back in the world.

Still just 23 years old, following his birthday last weekend, Saliba has helped Arsenal to become a defensive powerhouse in the Premier League, in addition to ending a long run without an appearance in a Champions League quarter-final.

Saliba has made 38 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, with Arsenal showing a clear difference in form with and without him. Yet he’s not so popular with French national team coach Didier Deschamps.

Excluding the three breaks Saliba missed through injury, he’s been called up by Deschamps for every international break since March 2022.

Yet the manager has handed the young centre-back just two starts in the last 12 games that he’s been in the squad.

Explaining that decision, Deschamps suggested he’s still not entirely happy with Saliba.

“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much,” Deschamps said (via GFFN). “For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well.

“The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment, but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less.

“With certain players, I make sure to persevere, because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift. Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm.”

France face Chile in a friendly on Tuesday night, and if Saliba gets a chance to impress, it looks like he’ll need to prove he can stay calm and composed.