France coach Deschamps explains holding back Arsenal defender Saliba

France coach Didier Deschamps has explained holding back Arsenal defender William Saliba.

Deschamps says Saliba is yet to perform at international level.

"He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don't like so much," Deschamps told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

"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."

He added: "At international level, he hasn't always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I've rotated a lot. He isn't in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn't ask himself if he'll play.

"When he has game time with us, he tells himself he needs to play well because there are others behind him.

"He is not in a psychological situation that is the same as at his club. He has everything he needs to take the next step."