Didier Deschamps on picking his World Cup squad: “I’m aware that it’s tough for some players.”

Didier Deschamps on picking his World Cup squad: “I’m aware that it’s tough for some players.”

In the wake of his World Cup squad announcement this Thursday night, Didier Deschamps faced the press to discuss the decisions he made in picking his 26 players.

Few surprises were expected in the lead-up to the announcement, which the 57-year-old made as a guest on the TF1 evening news. The veteran head coach was unveiling his final tournament squad as France manager, with his contract expiring at the end of the tournament.

“I’m well aware that these will be some of my final moments [in the job]. It’s a special feeling, I’m not one to show my emotions, especially not in press conferences where each word could be misinterpreted, but I’m feeling good. I’m focusing all of my energy on the tournament now.”

On the decision to call up Robin Risser as third-choice goalkeeper, Deschamps indicated that PSG’s Lucas Chevalier may have been in the running had he been fit and playing more often at his club. A potential return for Hugo Lloris, as had been rumoured in recent weeks, was not on the cards, the head coach indicated. 

Among the other unexpected inclusions were Crystal Palace pair Jean-Philippe Mateta and , while was left out. “I’m aware that it’s tough to take for some players, especially those who are regularly here, but that’s the professional side of things,” Deschamps recognised. “It’s not as though we were still thinking it over last night, though. It wasn’t that difficult to find, other than Risser.“