Arsenal centre-back William Saliba (22) is expected to start for France when Les Bleus take on Ireland tomorrow at Paris’ Parc des Princes as part of their campaign to qualify for the Euro 2024, according to a report from L’Équipe.
In the absence of Ibrahima Konaté (24) through injury, France national team boss Didier Deschamps is poised to shuffle his centre-back pairing against Ireland, given the Liverpool man has effectively replaced Raphaël Varane as the starting right-sided centre-back alongside Dayot Upamecano. The Bayern defender and Konaté struck a bond from their RB Leipzig days.
Saliba, who has completely recovered from the back issue that ended his breakout season with the Gunners, is poised to get his ninth start with France, L’Équipe report. Although Deschamps has plenty of centre-backs to choose from with Axel Disasi and Jean-Clair Todibo. Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Hernandez and Jules Koundé can also fill in at the heart of the defence, but the latter two are poised to start as full-backs.
The outlet reports that Eduardo Camavinga is expected to start in midfield against Ireland rather than his Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni. Newly-signed Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani did not train on Tuesday as he recovers from an ankle sprain. France’s all-time record goalscorer Olivier Giroud is therefore expected to get the nod from Deschamps tomorrow. Kingsley Coman and Ousmane Dembélé are set to battle it out for a starting spot on the right wing. L’Équipe understands that the Bayern man is poised to start opposite France skipper Kylian Mbappé.
France likely line-up against Ireland
Mike Maignan – Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez – Eduardo Camavinga, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot – Kingsley Coman, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappé.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
