William Saliba injury reports not clarified by France manager

Reports that William Saliba is suffering from a back problem that could see him miss this summer’s World Cup seem to come as a surprise to Didier Deschamps but the defender does have a problem.

On Monday afternoon, websites were abuzz with the ‘news’ that William Saliba has been suffering with a back problem for the past few weeks and, as a result, his World Cup was at risk.

I first noticed the story on the ESPN website where they said that ‘sources’ had told them Saliba would undergo scans on Monday and that the “fear is that he will need a lengthy time to rest and for treatment, and will miss the World Cup with France.”

Speaking to the media at Clairefontaine as France begin their World Cup preparations, Didier Deschamps was asked about these reports, which seem to have stemmed from Foot Mercato and he admitted he hadn’t seen. “He’s here,” Deschamps said of Saliba. “Everything is fine.”

Then, L’Equipe reported that he will require surgery after the World Cup and will miss the start of the season for Arsenal.

Saliba does, of course, have a history with back problems. There is a good case to be made that the one he suffered in the final months of the 22/23 season derailed Arsenal’s unexpected title challenge.

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