France Coach Defends Snub Of Inter Milan Star From International Break Squad: ‘There’s A Lot Of Competition In His Position’ | OneFootball

France coach Didier Deschamps feels that competition for places in defense is the reason Benjamin Pavard is out of yet another squad.

The Les Bleus boss defended his reasons for leaving the 29-year-old in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews.

For the third international break in a row, Pavard is not part of the French national team’s squad.

Moreover, while the former Bayern Munich man was in the squad for EURO 2024 during the summer, he did not play a single minute at that tournament.

It was Barcelona defender Jules Kounde who got the nod at the Euros. There is no question that he has become the player who France coach Deschamps favours on the right of the defense.

And the reality is that France have a wealth of quality to choose from. Particularly in the defensive positions.

Therefore, it is not too much of a surprise to see Pavard starting to lose his place.

Deschamps Defends Snub Of Benjamin Pavard: “There’s A Lot Of Competition In His Place”

Pavard had been the regular starter on the right of the defense for France for several years.

This included at the World Cup in 2018. He started in the final of that tournament against Croatia.

And Pavard is, on paper, right in his prime. He has certainly found an environment in which to thrive at club level since joining Inter.

But France coach Deschamps said that “I took the opportunity to see other players again.”

“It’s up to him to keep doing well with his club,” he added of how Pavard could get his spot back.

“There’s a lot of competition in his position,” he noted. “Maybe there’s more now.”

“It doesn’t mean that his time is over, though,” Deschamps made clear.

“He’s still on the pre-selection squad lists. But then I have to make my decisions.”