Didier Deschamps hints at reason behind William Saliba’s half-time substitution in France loss

William Saliba may be facing a battle to secure a place in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI for the World Cup with the France boss feeling his young side showed their inexperience in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Denmark.

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The Arsenal star was brought into the backline for Les Bleus’ final match before the World Cup begins in November but was hauled off at half-time along with Real Madrid teenager Eduardo Camavinga with Denmark having already netted their two goals.

Both players gave lacklustre performances in their 45 minutes on the pitch and Deschamps has suggested France’s senior, experienced heads – many of whom were unavailable on Sunday – will come straight back into the side in Qatar.

‘I don’t think it’s a shipwreck, we also had a lot of chances but we were ineffective, we made some errors when playing out from the back,’ Deschamps told TF1 after the game.

‘It’s a young French side, where the majority of the players don’t have experience at the very highest level.

‘It’s not a question of formations, but when you have four corners and a Danish player is left alone each time, you can play with three, five or twelve at the back, it doesn’t change a thing.

‘There’s no need to worry, the fact that the players with international experience are coming back will do us good.’

Asked specifically about Camavinga’s withdrawal at his post-match press conference, Deschamps appeared to pass comment about both the Madrid youngster as well as Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni: ‘Cama was not in the best mood, it can happen. He has not been with us for a long time and he’s starting the match already.

‘He was not the only one either. It will serve him well for the future just as it will serve others.’

He added: